Christ in all the scriptures
Christ the Sceptre of Divine righteousness Numbers 24v17-25
Everyone talks of the "second coming", some in jest, others in due reverence; but few are willing to talk about what it means. Revelation 19v11 says that when heaven opens, Christ is coming to make war, He is coming to dismantle the godless world system, and rule in righteousness before the great eternal dawn. Balaam prophesied something of this and uttered the only logical words, "Alas who shall live when God doeth this?"-24v23.
These last three parables paint a picture of retribution on all those who defy God, beginning at the near future from Balaam, and stretching right into the present age. Moab, Edom, Amalek, Kenites, Asshur, and Chittim are all named in the context of judgment. All these are identifiable nations or groups, and the Divine sceptre is against them.
The Sceptre shall "smite the corners of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth"-v17; Edom shall be a possession, Seir (Edom's mountain range) also shall be a possession for his enemies"-v18; "Amalek was the first of nations (probably alluding to its primacy in opposition to Israel) but his last end shall be that he perish for ever"-v20; The proud self sufficient Kenites, "Strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive"-v21/22 "Ships from Chittim (some say Cyprus, others Greece, even Rome-whatever, the great marauding maritime forces who will afflict Asshur-Assyrians, and Eber-Hebrews) shall also perish forever"-v24.
Different people, with different attitude to God's people. The judgment will be righteous, some will suffer temporarily, others eternally. The Judge of all the earth will do right, but no one will escape His wrath. Through Balaam God identifies the nations concerned, their opposition to His will, and their final judgment. All who opposed Israel in any way, and therefore Israel's Messiah, will suffer at the hands of Almighty God. A reading of Old Testament narrative reveals that God controls the fate of nations and He rewards the good and punishes the evil. The outburst of Balaam in v23 is akin to the cry in Revelation 6v17, "The great day of His wrath has come and who shall be able to stand?"
The Sovereign God knows us all individually, and He knows the trend of nations, if you like national characteristics and attitudes. This prophecy of future judgment will affect every nation on earth. When Christ returns He will call the living nations before Him (Matthew 25v31-46). Scholars tell us that there are approx. 2500 bible prophecies in all of scripture, and that nigh on 2000 have already been fulfilled. The remaining 500 or so will also be fulfilled. This is the certain hope of all believers, none of which will be frustrated. Proud men will be abased and the humble will be exalted. Regardless of the wealth and power of some, they will all be brought down before the throne of the Majesty of heaven. Isaiah the prophet wrote (42v13-14):
"The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar, He shall prevail against His enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself; now I will cry like a travailing woman, I will devour and destroy at once".
The devastation of Moab is detailed in Isaiah 15-16. Edom will be subservient until their final end, as stated in the prophecy of Obadiah. In Exodus 17 the Lord swore to have war with Amalek from generation to generation. They were destroyed according to 1st Chronicles 4v42-43. All future enemies of God will likewise be destroyed in God's own time, including the present day and beyond. The Sceptre of His throne is a right sceptre and the day of righteousness will be ushered in.
Balaam departed, but not before he had given secret counsel to Balak of how to bring Israel down. This will be the subject of chapter 25. The words of Paul in Acts 17v30-31 are pressing now and in all future generations, "God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead".
God spoke through Balaam in no uncertain terms. In the seven parables we learn:
1) God has blessed one nation Israel and they will flourish as the dust of the earth 23v7-10
2) God's covenants are irrevocable, and He is with His redeemed people-23v18-22
3) Israel will inherit the land and overcome all enemies 24v3-9
4) Out of Israel will come Christ the Messiah. They will subdue Moab and Edom 24v15-19
5) The foremost and most formidable enemy, Amalek, will be destroyed 24v20
6) The Kenites, symbolic of the pride of man, will be abased 24v21-22
7) The maritime powers of the earth, who oppress the world will be broken 24v23-24.
All of these prophesies are expanded in later scriptures, some of them yet to be fulfilled.
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