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TRANSCRIPT (12-28) THE SINGLE GREATEST MYSTERY ABOUT THE BIBLE August 15, 2012 VOICEOVER: The following is a paid presentation for The Key of David brought to you by The Philadelphia Church of God. The Key of David with Gerald Flurry. GERALD FLURRY: Greetings, everyone. I want to discuss with you today what I believe to be the greatest mystery, single mystery, there is about the Bible, and really the whole Bible revolves around that mystery. The book of Chronicles, if you put it in the proper order, is the last book of the Old Testament. It was written by Ezra, and if youre going to write the conclusion to the entire Old Testament, youd think, well, its going to be a chapter that summarizes the whole entire Old Testament, and thats exactly what it does. And I want to read to you a comment from Langes Commentary about Chronicles and the subject that was discussed in that book. And I thought this was just a wonderful insight, and its very short, The author of Chronicles confines his attention to David and the kingdom founded on the promise made to him in II Samuel 7. So he made that statement that the whole book is just really about the promise made to David in II Samuel 7. Now, for several generations, you probably know that as Israel was leaving Egypt, and after that time, God was actually the king over Israel, and thats taught in the book of Moses and Joshua and Judges, and we can see that that worked for a while, but after a while the people of Israel rebelled against that and just DEMANDED that Samuel give them a king to rule over them like the other nations had. They wanted a man to rule over them, so God let them choose Saul, and it turned out to be just a grandiose failure. And then God chose David to be king and rule over them, and for the first seven years David ruled in Hebron, but then, of course, he didnt have control of Jerusalem, the Jebusites did, and he decided to go in there and conquer Jerusalem, and the castle of Zion, and he did make that conquest, and it is what is called the City of David. Now, we have students digging there in an archaeological dig today, and we believe it IS

the greatest archaeological dig in the WORLD because it is right there in the City of David, and theyve already uncovered what we believe to be Davids palace, and theyre now digging around Solomons wall, and it just goes on and on. But I want to read to you what Lange said, or the Scripture that Langes Commentary mentioned, so that you can understand this promise that was made to David, and it is, to this world its a mystery. Its a tremendous mystery. Nobody really understands it, but they can understand it now if they're willing. Notice what it says in verse 12 of II Samuel 7, And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, God is talking to David, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and there He meant Solomon, and I will establish his kingdom. (13) He shall build an house for my name, the great temple of God, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. Now, this is what Lange says is the subject of the whole book of Chronicles, the last book of the Old Testament, which really summarizes the whole entire Old Testament. Now, heres what I wrote in the Chronicles booklet, Even Langes Commentary could understand that Chronicles is based on this key of David message in 2 Samuel 7. So its an eternal promise. But heres the thing, that even though Lange understood that and what he wrote, he understood what the subject was about in Chronicles, that it was about that promise made to David, but he didnt know WHY! And if you check all the other commentaries, youll find that they dont know why EITHER, and this is OBVIOUSLY a prophecy that extends throughout the history of Solomon, and on down to the end time, and into forever. So its obviously prophecy that we MUST understand today, and yet this is a mystery to this world, and I think the single greatest one of all. What IS that great mystery? Now, if you understand the book of Samuel, you know it is one of the former prophets, which means it is prophecy for this end time, and since Chronicles focused on II Samuel 7 and verses 12 and 13, that means Chronicles ALSO becomes a very prophetic book. Of course, you can read these prophecies and know theyre prophecy for today and WELL beyond this age into eternity, and that gets very exciting. So the key of David is itself a prophecy, and its for Gods people today. Let me read you verse 16, And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. You see, this is forever, for all time. But imagine this, that Langes Commentary, this man that was responsible for writing one of the greatest commentaries ever, I think, and its one of the older commentaries, but he understood about this promise to David, and it was the subject of, lets say, the one book that summarized the entire Old Testament. He understood what the subject was there, and

not all of them understand THAT, but he did not know why! WHY did Ezra summarize the Old Testament that way? Well, its a fascinating subject and one that we really DEEPLY need to understand, and yet almost nobody does. What a mystery! What a mystery it is, and you wont find that mystery solved in any of the commentaries. Im telling you, its just that way. But if you look at the Old Testament and realize that its actually tied into the New Testament very directlyand Ill show you that in a momentbut to think that the whole book is summarized about a promise made to David, about his throne or his kingdom or his house continuing forever. Forever and ever, not only from the time of Solomon to the end of this age, but from the time of Solomon into forever and all eternity. Now THAT is an interesting subject, and something we ALL should be very much concerned about. The New Testament ALSO revolves around this promise to David. Now, you know the New Testament is tied to the Old Testament, if you understand that about 25 percent of the New Testament is direct quotes from the Old Testament. So they are obviously tied together, and this supreme mystery is about David. Its a key that unlocks so much, and yet people understand so little about it. Notice what it says in II Samuel 23, verses 1 and 5, Now these be the last words of David. So here are the last words he had to say. Now, you know they have to be extremely important, and he said this, (5) God hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: In other words, a covenant that shall endure forever and cannot fail. Now heres a quote from Mr. Armstrong, Herbert Armstrong, in his book, The United States and Britain in Prophecy. He said this, Davids throne was set up and established with Solomon, Davids son. That is on this Earth. The throneDavids throne (verse 16)was established forever in Solomon (verse 13). Thats verse 13, II Samuel 7, verse 13. Observe that this nowhere says that when Christ comes, God will establish it in Him forever. It says it was to be established forever in Solomon. That is, from the time of Solomon right on down to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and out into eternity. This is really the most inspiring subject youll find in all of your Bible, and it is ALIVE today on this Earth in the form of that same throne of David. It is a LIVING PROPHECY that you and I can see being fulfilled before our very eyes right now. Mr. Armstrong wrote, [T]here should never be a single generation from that time forward, that is, from the time of Solomon forward, when there would not be a descendant of David, in unbroken dynasty sitting on Davids throne, ruling over children of Israel! Well, thats a POWERFUL prophecy, and it just absolutely DOMINATES the entire Bible! And yet, it is a MYSTERY to this world, Im telling you, its a mystery to

them, and I think the single greatest one. But this is actually Gods throne, its not Davids throne, but God does label it Davids throne because He wants to bring ALL of mankind into His Family as He did David. Its really for US that He calls it Davids throne. But I mean if you look at what God says here, and Davids throne is not on this Earth today, that makes God a liar. God cannot lie, so where is the throne? Where is it? Notice I Chronicles 29 and verse 23. We know that David sat on the Eternals throne and so did Solomon; its Gods throne. Notice this, Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, so both of them sat on Gods throne. Its GODS throne, and God, through that throne, is going to bring all of humanity, all of those that want to be a part of His Family, into His Family for ALL ETERNITY. Its going to be done through that throne, the very throne that Solomon sat on, that David sat on, AND that the Queen of England sits on today. You can prove that from your own Bible. And God says, Ill just give you a magnificent reward if you proclaim that message before My Second Coming, and let the world know and understand about that mystery, and remove that mystery from this world, if people are willing to really look at their Bible and what it actually says. And at the same time, He says, Look, Ill protect you from a lot of suffering in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. Youll be able to escape all of that if youll just do what I tell you and proclaim this message about the key of David. Notice what it says in Psalm 89 and verse 3, I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, and again, Mr. Armstrong explains, (4) Thy seed, (or dynasty, from the Moffat Translation) will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Note it! This throne, established forever, was built up to all generations. That is, all generations on this Earth from Solomon right on down to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and then out into eternal glory, and a very, royal, majestic eternity at that. Mr. Armstrong continued in his book on The United States and Britain in Prophecy, But to continue, in the 89th Psalm, with the 28th verse: My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed [dynastyMoffatt] also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. Consider a moment the meaning of the word seed in this sense. Moffatts translation in modern English properly translates it dynasty. The Revised Standard Version translates it his [Davids] linethat is, continuous line or succession of sons, generation after generation. This seed is not the general population of the children of Israel. This is speaking of Davids seed, or Davids sons. Those from the house of David or the genealogy of David. His sons were to be kings. David was of the tribe of Judah, possessor of the scepter, not the birthright, promise. His seed, therefore, was the kingly line. So, literally, it means his dynasty, his line of successive sons. Jesus Christ was also in that genealogy, so it continues right on out into eternal glory.

You can also read, Ill just quickly read this to you, Jeremiah 33, verses 16 and 17 says, For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; Hell never lack a man to sit upon the throne of David, from the time of Solomon all the way down to the Second Coming. Well, how do you explain that? How do you explain that? Thats just a MAGNIFICENT promise, a MARVELOUS promise from God that ought to make the Bible LIVE in our minds because its being fulfilled every single day from the time of Solomon to the Second Coming, and then beyond that, forever. So here is the last book of the Old Testament, Chronicles, talking about that throne of David, and it sort of summarizes up the Old Testament, but notice how it ties directly into the New Testament. I want to show you this, that the first four books of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Johnas most people knowand theyre all about Christ's life. And I want to especially focus on Luke in the very first chapter and show you how its tied to the last book of the Old Testament, which is Chronicles. I want you to see that in Luke 1, verses 30 through 33. Verse 30, And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: the Son of God the Father, this is family, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: Hes going to give Him the throne of his father David, (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. But Hes going to give Him that throne of David, which is on this Earth and has been since the time of Solomon right on down to the Second Coming, and God the Father says, Im going to give My Son that throne. He has to be returning to this Earth to a throne that EXISTS, not some nonexistent throne. Christ is returning to a throne that is ALREADY ON THIS EARTH! Thats an AMAZING prophecy! Where is that throne? Well, it has to be on this Earth, and we prove in our book, The United States and Britain in Prophecy, that its right there in Britain. Its right there in Britain, and it HAS been for quite a long time. But there have always been men and women in the line or genealogy of David who sat on that throne, and the Queen of England is in that genealogy. Its all about developing the God Family, bringing ALL OF MANKIND into Gods Family. Now, thats not bad news; thats all GOOD news, but it seems that mankind is determined to suffer a long time before theyll get that, but their time is about up. Jesus Christ is on a countdown to return to this Earth, and Hes going to SAVE mankind alive so that we dont just extinguish all human life, as it says we would in Matthew, if Christ didnt intervene and stop the madness on this Earth and the nuclear bombs and the weapons of mass destruction and all of that. But notice also what it says in Isaiah 9 and verse 6, For unto us a child is born, unto us a

son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. I mean, theres just NO END on the throne of David. It was established in Solomon, right after King David, and it continues right on down to the Second Coming, and then Christ takes that throne and sits on it, and that throne of David continues on forever and ever and EVER! And its on this Earth right now, the very throne that Jesus Christ is even NOW preparing to return to this Earth to sit on and save man from himself. Look around at this world. There are many intelligent men that think we cant survive, and they are right. We cant, unless Jesus Christ returns, and He planned that from the very beginning. But lets notice how the last book of the Old Testament also ties in to the last book of the New Testament, and that is an interesting tie, as well. This is like a summary of the New Testament, certainly a prophetic summary. Verse 7 of Revelation 3, And to the angel, or messenger, of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; He that has the key of David. He, Christ, who has the key of David, gives it to the last two eras of Gods Church. That is the only message He gives them. Its all summarized, everything is summarized in that one message. The key of David! David is the key! The key of David! If you understand about David and his throne and all that revolves around that, youre going to have a key that unlocks the entire Bible! All of it! And it revolves around David; thats the only key there is. There is no other key. It cant be unlocked with any other key but that one. So think about that. Then it says if we overcome like we should, that well be in headquarters forever. If we who are called out today and respond to God will proclaim this message, well be in headquarters forever and never again go out. Now, thats forever! Youll be right there in the highest positions that God gives on this Earth before His Second Comingthe very elect. You see, thats a wonderful reward. And then it says in verse 21, you can read this, well, I think I have time to read it, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. So we do have to overcome AS Christ overcame. Now, He had this gigantic battle with Satan, the devil, and Matthew 4, Luke 4 talks about that, and He overcame the devil. Now He says you and I have to overcome the devil today and proclaim this message, fight the devil and overcome himand we can do itand overcome exactly as Christ did, and if we do, were going to sit there on that throne of David and share it with Christ for all eternity. Thats what your Bible says. But if you look at verse 21 there, you know that there is a battle. Its not always an easy thing to do, thats for sure, but it is so rewarding.

So what is that single greatest mystery in the Bible? Its really Gods promise to rule this world from Davids throne with His first fruits, His bride, and work to bring ALL of humanity into the Family of God. Most of them are going to have to be resurrected because they never knew God. Gods going to resurrect them and give them a chance to know Him. And those that are called out today, the first fruits, are going to be able to sit on that throne as the bride of Jesus Christ, and help Him in that great, wonderful, inspiring process, and you can read that in Revelation 19 and verse 7. This is the gospel! Its also the scepter promise talked about in Genesis 49 and verse 10, and thats in Mr. Armstrongs book on The United States and Britain in Prophecy. But this mystery needs to be removed because this is the most inspiring, majestic, royal truth that there is in the Bible, and that Bible and God are very much alive today, and we must learn this wonderful lesson to be in sync with God. Until next week, this is Gerald Flurry, goodbye, friends. #

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