Obadiah 19–21 — The Kingdom Shall Be the LORD’s

Introduction

If the Day of the LORD represents the peak of human history, what follows? What are we really anticipating? For many, the Day of the LORD is thought of only as the great final judgment. But Obadiah points us further. It is not only about what God will end, but also about what God will establish. What follows that climactic day is the fulfillment and completion of the promise given to Abraham: a return to Eden — but a better Eden.

The question is not just about survival of judgment. It is about inheritance. If the Day of the LORD is the summit, the view beyond it stretches into eternity, and it is breathtaking.

You Shall Possess the Land

We notice the phrase “shall possess” repeated six times in verses 19 and 20. The point could not be clearer: those who have “escaped” the day of God’s wrath will not simply be spared, they will inherit. Judgment is not the end of the story. Inheritance is.

This is striking because earlier in Obadiah (vv. 10–14), Israel was driven from the land. They were cut off, scattered, destroyed. But here the word comes again: they shall possess. They shall return. They shall be restored. And we know this is possible only because Christ has drunk the cup of wrath on their behalf.

What does this mean for us? It means our eyes cannot stay fixed on this present world as if it were ultimate. Too often, Christianity has been reshaped into a “best life now” approach, as though God’s promises are fulfilled in comfort, prosperity, or recognition here. But Obadiah turns our eyes forward. The inheritance to come is infinitely better than anything now.

If our “best life now” eclipses our hope in the life to come, we will not develop the endurance and maturity required to live faithfully now. Technology has trained us to expect “microwave” results — instant gratification at the touch of a button. But God calls His people to perseverance.

The writer of Hebrews reminded suffering believers of this:

“Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings… For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” (Hebrews 10:32–34).

Their endurance came not from their present ease but from their future hope. They could let go of what was taken from them because they were convinced of what was coming to them.

Do we have a hope that big?

What Will Be

Obadiah’s promise of possession anticipates the vision of Revelation.

John writes,

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:1–2).

This is not the first time in human history that creation was untouched by evil. Eden was once such a place. But the new Jerusalem is Eden restored — and Eden perfected. Every tear wiped away. No more death. No mourning. No pain. Sin and all its consequences gone forever (Revelation 21:4).

Then John continues:

“The angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit… The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1–2).

Here is what was lost and barred from humanity in Genesis 3: the tree of life. Once guarded by a flaming sword, it will stand freely accessible. What Adam forfeited, Christ restores. What was blocked by sin, Christ unlocks.

It is vital to stress: this is not an ethereal, float-in-the-clouds hope. It is not heaven stripped of the earth but heaven joined with earth. A physical reality. A new earth, untarnished by sin, unstained by corruption, filled with the unveiled presence of God.

John heard the loud voice say:

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people” (Revelation 21:3).

That has always been the goal — for God to dwell with His people.

The Progression of God’s Presence

From the beginning, God’s plan has been to be with His people, not simply to instruct them from a distance.

Eden (Genesis 3:8): He walked in the garden in the cool of the day. His presence was intimate and immediate.

Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3): The promise was not just about land or descendants. God said, “I will bless you.” His presence would spread through Abraham’s family to bless all nations.

Wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22): He led them by cloud and fire. His presence guided and protected them daily.

Temple (1 Kings 8:10–11): His glory filled the temple, a sign that He dwelt among His people, though through priest and sacrifice.

Immanuel (Matthew 1:23; John 1:14): The Word became flesh. God’s presence took on humanity, walking personally among us.

Resurrection and Pentecost (Romans 8:11; Acts 2): The Spirit indwells believers. It is no longer just God-with-us, but God-in-us.

Day of the LORD (Revelation 21:22): God Himself will dwell with humanity perfectly and permanently. No more temple, no more mediation, no more distance.

From the garden to Abraham to the temple to Christ to the Spirit — and finally, to the kingdom — the trajectory has always been toward a fuller, richer, more complete communion.

A Return to What Was, But Better

Genesis opens with God’s perfect creation (Genesis 1:27–31; 2:1–4). Humanity was made in His image, male and female together reflecting His glory. They were blessed to multiply, to subdue, to cultivate, and to reign. It was very good.

But it was lost. Genesis 2 and 3 tell the story of two trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Humanity chose wrongly, deceived by the serpent into thinking they could grasp wisdom apart from God. The result was sin, shame, and exile.

Hands created to serve became instruments of domination. Bodies designed for unity became tools of selfish indulgence. Tongues made to praise became weapons to tear down. Evil became a legitimate choice, and humanity proved unable to wield it.

Access to the tree of life was cut off (Genesis 3:22–24). Paradise was closed. Humanity was locked into a cycle of corruption and death.

But in Christ, the way is opened again. He drank the cup. He bore the curse. What Adam lost, Christ has secured.

It Has Always Been the Promise

Abraham received the promise of land and blessing (Genesis 12:1–4). Jacob received the same (Genesis 48:3–4). Joseph died believing it (Genesis 50:24–26). Moses saw the land from Mount Nebo but could not enter (Deuteronomy 34:1–5).

Even when Israel entered, they were eventually exiled. Jerusalem was burned (Jeremiah 52:12–14). The promise seemed lost.

But God spoke through the prophets, assuring His people it was not revoked.

Isaiah: “I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).

Isaiah again: “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together” (Isaiah 65:25).

Ezekiel: God’s throne will be in the midst of His people forever (Ezekiel 43:6–9).

Daniel: Many will awake to everlasting life; the wise will shine like stars (Daniel 12:2–3).

Hosea: “I will heal their apostasy… They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow” (Hosea 14:4–7).

Joel: “Judah shall be inhabited forever” (Joel 3:20).

Amos: “They shall never again be uprooted” (Amos 9:15).

Micah: From Bethlehem will come the ruler of Israel (Micah 5:2).

Zephaniah: “The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst” (Zephaniah 3:15).

Haggai: “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9).

Zechariah: “The LORD will be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9).

Malachi: “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2).

The promise was always forward-looking. Israel awaited the Messiah because the prophets told them the kingdom was still coming. In Christ we see how it is secured. And now, like them, we await its full unveiling.

Why the Promise Has Not Yet Been Fulfilled

The writer of Hebrews reminds us:

“All these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39–40).

No one receives the promise in full until all God’s people receive it together. Abraham, Moses, us today, and believers yet unborn — all will be made perfect at the same moment, when the dead are raised and the new Jerusalem descends.

Therefore, the call is simple:

“Let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Conclusion

Obadiah ends where all of Scripture ends:

“The kingdom shall be the LORD’s” (Obadiah 21).

Eden will be restored, and it will be heaven on earth. We will dwell with God through Christ, the Lamb who was slain and the Lion who reigns.

Repent. Turn away from the desires of this world. Place your hope in the One who is coming. Jesus has atoned for your sins. If you believe in Him, you are an adopted child of God and a citizen of the kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Scripture References

• Obadiah 10–14 — Israel is plundered and driven from the land, setting the backdrop for promised restoration.
• Obadiah 19–21 — Repeated “shall possess” culminates in the climactic truth that “the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.”
• Genesis 1:27–31 — God creates humanity in His image and blesses them to be fruitful and exercise dominion.
• Genesis 2:1–4 — God completes creation and sanctifies the seventh day as holy rest.
• Genesis 2:9 — The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil stand at the center of Eden.
• Genesis 2:15–17 — Humanity is commissioned to tend the garden with one boundary: do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
• Genesis 3:1–7 — The serpent’s deception leads to disobedience, shame, and the entrance of sin into the world.
• Genesis 3:22–24 — Access to the tree of life is barred and humanity is exiled from Eden.
• Genesis 12:1–4 — God promises Abraham land, offspring, and blessing for all nations through him.
• Genesis 48:3–4 — Jacob recalls God’s promise of fruitfulness and an everlasting possession.
• Genesis 50:24–26 — Joseph dies in hope, trusting God to bring Israel into the promised land.
• Deuteronomy 34:1–5 — Moses sees the land from Nebo but does not enter, pointing beyond his lifetime to fulfillment.
• Jeremiah 52:12–14 — Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed, underscoring the depth of exile.
• Exodus 13:21–22 — God’s presence leads Israel by cloud and fire through the wilderness.
• 1 Kings 8:10–11 — The glory of the LORD fills the temple, signifying His dwelling among His people.
• Isaiah 65:17 — God promises a new heavens and a new earth where former sorrows are forgotten.
• Isaiah 65:25 — Peace pervades creation on God’s holy mountain, signaling the curse’s reversal.
• Ezekiel 43:6–9 — God vows to set His throne among His people forever without defilement.
• Daniel 12:2–3 — Many will rise to everlasting life, and the wise will shine like stars.
• Hosea 14:4–7 — God heals apostasy and causes His people to flourish under His care.
• Joel 3:20 — Judah will be inhabited forever, anticipating permanent restoration.
• Amos 9:15 — God plants His people never to be uprooted again.
• Micah 5:2 — From Bethlehem comes the ancient ruler who will shepherd Israel.
• Zephaniah 3:15 — The LORD, Israel’s King, is in their midst and fear is removed.
• Haggai 2:9 — The latter glory of God’s house will surpass the former and bring peace.
• Zechariah 14:9 — The LORD will be King over all the earth and His name one.
• Malachi 4:2 — The sun of righteousness rises with healing for those who fear the LORD.
• Matthew 1:23 — Immanuel declares that in Jesus God is with us.
• John 1:14 — The Word became flesh and “tabernacled” among us.
• Acts 2 — At Pentecost the Spirit indwells the church, internalizing God’s presence.
• Romans 8:11 — The Spirit who raised Jesus will give life to our mortal bodies.
• Hebrews 10:32–34 — Suffering believers endured loss because they knew they had a better, abiding possession.
• Hebrews 11:39–40 — The promise awaits the whole people of God so that all are perfected together.
• Hebrews 12:1–2 — We run with endurance, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of faith.
• Revelation 21:1–2 — John sees the new heavens and new earth and the holy city descending.
• Revelation 21:3 — God declares that His dwelling place is with humanity.
• Revelation 21:4 — God wipes away every tear and ends death, mourning, and pain.
• Revelation 21:22 — No temple is needed because the Lord God and the Lamb are its temple.
• Revelation 22:1–2 — The river of life and the tree of life return for the healing of the nations.