4.2 The development of the kingdom of God

Revelation and knowledge of the God of creation increases with each age. Ever since the fall of man, however, those living the lifestyle of the kingdom of God have been in the minority. The stars in the illustration symbolize those people who have chosen to begin a life in fellowship with God. Their number also increases with each new age of time.

Even though God's desire has always been to bless all peoples, in the beginning only isolated individuals responded to God's calling. In the 5th age of time, God called a whole people group - the Jews - in order to prepare for the arrival of the Savior. After the appearance of the Savior, the sixth and current age began, during which God calls individuals out of all people groups. Not until the 7th age will it actually become popular to be a Christian, since by that time the devilish origin of evil and its consequences will have been totally revealed. The knowledge of God will then cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

For almost two thousand years, in times of distress and longing, the people of the kingdom of God have therefore prayed, "May your kingdom come on earth".

At the end of the 5th age, the Jews chose the robber, Barabbas, instead of Jesus. This fateful choice contributed to rebellion against the Romans, and resulted in Jerusalem's total destruction in the year 70 A.D.

Now, at the end of our own age, every person on earth is faced with a decision between the lifestyle of the kingdom of God or the lifestyle of the world. Those who reject Christ indirectly choose the Antichrist as their "savior". The Antichrist, as mentioned earlier, will precipitate the judgement of God's wrath upon the earth when most of humanity will annihilate one another.