Mary's Literal Words on Israel's Restoration from Luke Chapter Two

Chapter 14: And the Rich He Hath Sent Empty Away (Luke 1:53b)

The rich of this world often find themselves at odds with the Kingdom of God. Mary declares, "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away" (Luke 1:53). As we understand the principles of God's Kingdom in his prophetic program, we see this verse mirrors a profound truth about divine reversal; the exaltation of the humble and the humbling of the proud and wealthy. When Israel is fully restored, the nations shall bring their riches to Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophetic words of Haggai 2:6-9 and Isaiah 60, signaling a time of glory and abundance.

Haggai prophesies, "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts" (Haggai 2:6-7). Here, the nations get their desire (the Antichrist) and regret it. Later, they bring their riches to God in his Kingdom. In Isaiah 60:5, it is declared, "Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee." The culmination of these promises points toward a time wherein the wealth of the earth is redirected toward God's chosen people, establishing Israel as the center of divine blessing and purpose.

However, to partake in the riches of the Kingdom, they had to get through the Great Tribulation first. Jesus admonished His followers, "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth" (Luke 12:33). This instruction underscores the necessity of prioritizing the eternal values of the Kingdom over worldly possessions. The dangers of wealth are further illuminated in the encounter with the rich young ruler, where Jesus commands, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). The rich man's reluctance to surrender his possessions illustrates a significant obstacle to entering the Kingdom—a heart ensnared by earthly wealth. The Antichrist can take advantage of someone like this through his Mark of the Beast economy to buy and sell.

James, in his book, further emphasizes this tension when he warns against the allure of riches. In James 4:4, he writes, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" He points out that the pursuit of worldly wealth can lead to spiritual compromise, causing individuals to turn away from the divine purpose for their lives. The message is clear: detachment from wealth, along with a commitment to radical generosity, is essential for those aspiring to inherit the Kingdom.

When Israel is restored, the nations will indeed bring their riches, proving that true prosperity lies not in the accumulation of wealth but in the alignment of one's heart with God's will. The rich, like the rich young ruler will come to the Lord looking to receive wealth, and will be left empty. Those that threw their wealth away to enter the Kingdom, will be handed it in abundance. This is not us today, as we are in an entirely different program of God's. 

Today, God tells us in 1 Timothy 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." So, it would be foolish to get rid of your wealth today as money is used as a tool to survive in this world. It will not be that case for other believers in different times. That is why we are instructed to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) and make sure we follow the right instructions.