Category Archives: THE NATION ISRAEL

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Did Matthew mishandle Hosea 11:1?, Did Matthew mishandle Hosea 11:1?, THE NATION ISRAEL

Did Matthew mishandle Hosea 11:1?

DID MATTHEW MISHANDLE HOSEA 11:1?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Some have greatly criticized the book of Matthew because it uses Hosea 11:1 to apply to Jesus Christ. Originally, Hosea was talking about God calling Israel out of Egypt. Yet, Matthew adapted Hosea’s statement to say God called Jesus out of Egypt. Was Matthew wrong for doing this? To the Scriptures!

King Herod was willing to do anything and everything he could to prevent a young king (Jesus) from taking his throne. So, as many know, he purposed to kill Jesus (who was as much as two years old at the time). Many Jewish babies and young children were slaughtered in the process. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 2:13. God, having complete knowledge of the situation, instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. Now, we read Matthew 2:15: “And [young Jesus] was there [in Egypt] until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

Matthew was obviously citing Hosea 11:1, which reads: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” A difficulty has now arisen in the minds of some. How could this verse about the nation Israel also pertain to Jesus Christ as Matthew suggests? If we are skilled in the Scriptures, there is no “difficulty” here. In fact, that “strange” application of Hosea 11:1 enables us to see parallels between Israel and Christ both past and future. Rather than being ungrateful and lazy complainers, we can be studious Bible readers and actually learn something from God’s marvelous Book!

Read what Moses was instructed to tell Pharaoh, just before Israel’s deliverance from Egypt: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn” (Exodus 4:22). Who is the nation Israel? Is not Israel God’s “son?” According to the Bible, yes. Now, see what God says of Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Is not Jesus God’s “Son?” Again, according to the Bible, yes. Even if we knew nothing else, even if we stopped right here, we can see the close affinity between Israel and Jesus Christ. But, let us take it a step further. More clarity could be—and will be—provided. Exactly what can we learn from all of this?

To begin, we ask a basic question. What is a “son” in Scripture? We find the Biblical definition of sonship in Galatians chapter 4: “[1] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; [2] But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. [3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: [4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. [7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Please understand that adoption in God’s Word is not used in the sense as we use it. It is not taking a child out of his or her biological family and placing him or her into a foreign family. In the Bible, the adopted son stays within his biological family: he receives a prominent position in his family. The father has ensured that son has been trained since he was a child. After that period of instruction, the son can join the father in doing what the father enjoys (like running a family business). In the Bible, an adopted son is someone whom the father declares to be an adult. That is, the adopted son is a mature individual capable of making wise decisions about matters related to the father’s interests. If the father is unavailable, he can trust his son to act sensibly in his stead.

By the way, we as members of the Church the Body of Christ, we are not “servants,” doing the Father’s will because we are obligated to do it. No, Galatians says we are “sons,” doing the Father’s will because we have freely decided to do it. Father God has not forced us to do it. Out of gratitude for what He has done for us at Calvary, we simply delight in doing what He wants accomplished. His word effectually works in us who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13). It is really His power that drives our Christian life. We will talk more about this later in reference to Jesus Christ.

Okay, back to the nation Israel. As per the Abrahamic Covenant, God wanted Israel to be His channel of salvation and blessing to the Gentiles (see Genesis 12:1-3). As with the case of sonship, Israel should have learned to trust God’s Word and depend on God’s works. Yet, once God delivered them from Egypt, they fumbled (see Hosea 11:1-4). They failed to learn the instruction that God had given them; consequently, they never did function as God’s “adopted-son” nation. So wrapped up in their own religious “goodness,” they never saw the goodness of His grace (what He wanted to do for them and with them). They had no idea what God was doing in the Earth, so they had no capability of working alongside God.

Exodus chapter 15, the Song of Moses, highlights what God had just done for Israel in destroying Pharaoh and his armies in the Red Sea: “[16] Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. [17] Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established. [18] The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.”

Look at what God is doing in the passage—“the greatness of thine arm,” “thou hast purchased,” “thou shalt bring them in,” “thou shalt plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance,” “in the place O LORD which thou hast made for thee to dwell in,” “the Sanctuary O LORD which thy hands have established,” “the LORD shall reign for ever and ever.” It is not about what Israel is doing and has done, but what God has done for her and wants to do with her! Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was a precursor to God coming down from heaven and dwelling with the Jews on Earth. They were to be His kingdom of priests, ready to tell the Gentiles all about their wonderful God! Alas, Israel failed. It was such a miserable disaster. They refused His Word and wanted works-religion instead. They wanted their works to be the issue. They could not function as God’s “son,” His co-worker. They had no idea what His Word was. They were in no condition to share it with the world. Israel should have been ready to be God’s people as soon as He delivered them from Egypt. They had been set free from Satanic bondage and had been heading to God’s Promised Land. Now, that had ended. They fell under God’s curse (because of their works), and are still awaiting His blessings (because of His grace).

Fast-forward 1,500 years, to our opening comments. Young Jesus has fled to Egypt, the same land in which Israel was in bondage many centuries earlier (Matthew 2:13-18). However, by the time of Matthew 2:19-23, Herod is dead, and Jesus can safely return to “the land of Israel” (note that expression in verse 21). Once He enters the Promised Land, Jesus is delighted to do the Father’s will. What Israel failed so miserably in doing, Jesus went on to do it. He was so faithful to Father God’s will, and, by doing so, He forced Israel to learn the lesson that God had been trying to teach them for centuries. They could never make themselves His people; He would make them His people. Only He had that power for sonship!

We find the writer of the book of Hebrews quoting Psalm 40:6-8. In fact, it is quoting what the Lord Jesus Christ said to His Heavenly Father at His incarnation in Mary’s womb. Note Hebrews chapter 10: “[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. [8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

Not only did Jesus say that He came to do God’s will. If we look at the original quote, Psalm 40:8, it says, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Our Lord Jesus took great delight in doing His Father’s will because His Father’s Word had filled His heart (cf. John 2:17)! Earlier, we made the comment that Jesus was not so much a servant, or someone forced to do His master’s will. No, He decided to do His Father’s will because He delighted in doing His Father’s will. Note these few examples from the Scriptures that highlight Christ Jesus’ faithfulness:

  • “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).
  • “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).
  • “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me” (John 7:16).
  • “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (John 12:49-50).
  • “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:24).
  • “I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father” (John 8:38).
  • “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34).

In short, Jesus Christ showed us (and Israel) what sonship in its fullness is all about. He constantly depended upon His Father’s words to Him. He was not working out of fear or obligation, but out of love and delight. He was not working independently of His Father, doing whatever He wanted. He accomplished His Father’s will with joy unspeakable. He did every miracle He was sent to do. He preached every sermon He was meant to speak. Ultimately, He went to Calvary to die first and foremost for Israel’s sins, and secondarily, for our sins.

Notice the prayer our Lord Jesus spoke to His Heavenly Father just hours before His crucifixion. John 17:3-8: “[3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. [4] I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. [5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. [6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. [7] Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. [8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”

That earthly life was over. Above all, Jesus Christ lived that sinless life in and among the nation Israel for 33 years. They saw just how high the bar of God’s righteousness was. His life was a constant reminder that they could never strive enough in religion and make themselves holy. They could never glorify His Father as He had done for those few short years on Earth. He had shown them that He was the way to the Father. The only way they could ever be God’s people was to trust Him to do the work for them.

CONCLUSION: “ISRAEL IN THE LORD”

With all of that said about Jesus Christ, and how faithful He was as God’s Son, and all of that said about how Israel was so disobedient to God, how will Israel ever function as “God’s son-nation?” Is not Israel a nation of sinners? How will mere mortal humans be able to fulfill God’s will as perfectly as Jesus Christ?

Isaiah chapter 45 predicts Israel’s future restoration to God: “[24] Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. [25] In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” The nation Israel will one day come to understand that their “justification” before God is not dependent upon their works in religion (Law of Moses). Rather, their right standing before God will be dependent on them being “in the LORD.” They must have God’s righteousness, God’s power, applied to them. God Himself will make them His people, imputing His righteousness to them and writing His law in their hearts so they will do His will. This is the purpose of the New Covenant, which will be given to Israel’s believing remnant at Christ’s Second Coming. For sake of brevity, we will cite the references without commenting—Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:25-28, Acts 3:19-21, Romans 11:25-29, Hebrews 8:8-13, and Hebrews chapter 10 (particularly verses 15-17).

Remember what Father God said at Jesus’ water baptism? “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God will be pleased with Israel when Israel is in His Son, Jesus Christ (“in the LORD”). Jesus Christ will give them “power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). It will be only be Israel in Christ, that will be able to accomplish God’s will. He will bring them out of all the nations under heaven (pictured by their Egyptian deliverance), and bring them into His land so they can do His will forever in His glorious kingdom (pictured by Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry)!

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Also see:
» Are we “doom and gloom” Bible-prophecy believers?
» Why did Jesus select evil Judas Iscariot to be an apostle?
» Who is “the Israel of God” of Galatians 6:16?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Is “divine right of kings” a Scriptural teaching?, Is “divine right of kings” a Scriptural teaching?, THE NATION ISRAEL

Is “divine right of kings” a Scriptural teaching?

IS “DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS” A SCRIPTURAL TEACHING? IS IT DISPENSATIONAL?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Strangely, when people see an elected politician they like, they say, “That person is God’s will for us. God selected him or her to assume the office.” But, then, when they see an elected governmental official whom they do not like, they never claim that “God’s will” was fulfilled in that unwanted politician assuming power! Well, is God selecting our politicians or is He not? It sounds like God’s will only operates sometimes. Surely, this is not God’s current operation with mankind, is it? Does God choose our political leaders? Is there such a thing as “the divine right of kings” in Scripture? In this study, we will search the Scriptures and see what God’s Word really says about it.

We find this instruction in Romans 13:1: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” This can be a very difficult piece of Scripture if we do not read it carefully. People claim this verse says that God directly chooses (or chose) our government officials. But, that is not what the verse said. The Bible did not say, “Our governmental leaders are ordained of God.” It did not say, “The people in office are ordained of God.” The Bible says, “…there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” This is talking about the power that government officials exercise, not the officials themselves. What a difference!

Friends, Romans 13:1 is best understood in light of Colossians 1:16: “For by him [the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, of verse 13] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Notice, however, this speaks of offices of government, not people serving in those offices. The offices, not the people, are “ordained of God.” “Thrones” refers not to kings, but the kings’ offices. “Principalities” are the realms over which princes reign; the word does not apply to the princes themselves. Now, we just carry this pattern into Romans 13:1 and the term “powers” is understood with astounding clarity.

Looking back at the opening verses of Romans chapter 13: “[1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” Once more, the “power”—the authority—is what is ordained of God, not the people who exercise that power. Go back to Colossians 1:16. The word “powers” refers to the authority, the offices of the individuals— “The powers are ordained of God.” God established nationalism (national government on Earth) back in Genesis 9:5-6 in order to carry out capital punishment, establish order, deter crime (especially murder), and so on (cf. Romans 13:3-4). Government was originally intended to be good, to glorify Jesus Christ (cf. Colossians 1:16). It is only when sinful man took over did government become evil. Notice in Psalm 82 how God rebukes corrupt human leaders—called “gods.” They were originally meant to fulfill His will while ruling, but they were neglecting their responsibility, and misleading Israel.

When Satan corrupted the governments of Heaven and Earth with sin, God began His plan to restore the Earth unto Himself. That was the primary reason why God formed the nation Israel. Members of Israel—the Jews—were to fill the offices of government in the Earth that Adam and Eve had lost to Satan and sin. Let us look at this in great detail now.

WHEN GOD DID (WILL) CHOOSE EARTHLY GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS IN SCRIPTURE

Note Jesus’ words to Judaean governor Pontius Pilate in John 19:11: “Thou couldest have not power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” God had given Pilate, a servant of the Roman government, governmental authority. The Graeco-Roman government came to rule over the nation Israel because of Israel’s repeated wickedness many centuries earlier. That was prophesied in the book of Daniel about 600 B.C.

Note what the Holy Spirit said through the Prophet Daniel in chapter 4 of his book: “[17] This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men…. [25] That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” These were God’s words to Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, the man God had appointed to rule over Israel and her Holy Land many centuries before Christ. Media-Persia conquered Babylon, and Greek King Alexander the Great overran Media-Persia, with Rome (an extension of Greece) ruling over Israel by the time of the New Testament and Christ’s earthly ministry.

In Israel’s program, God did not merely ordain the offices of government. There are verses in Scripture that explicitly teach that He actually chose the individuals who occupied those offices. Let us look at some examples. Observe, in time past, how God appointed Moses to lead His people Israel out of their grueling Egyptian slavery. We read in Exodus 3:10: “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” God did not just want any leader to guide Israel. He specifically chose Moses. This needs no further explanation. It is quite simple, friends, if we just let the verses speak. This is about the nation Israel, not us! Verses similar to this are numerous. Let us look at others.

Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 17:14-15: “[14] When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; [15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.” This was a reference to King Saul, but could also be applicable to his successors—David, Solomon, et cetera. We will talk more about them now.

Centuries after Moses, the LORD God appointed Saul to be king over Israel. Reading 1 Samuel 9:15-17: “[15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, [16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. [17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.” Who is this regarding? The Bible says Israel!

God also appointed David to be king over Israel after Saul. The Bible says in 2 Samuel 7:8, “Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:” Solomon repeats what the LORD said: “Since the day that I brought forth my people out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel” (1 Kings 8:16). Again, this is Israel, Israel, Israel!

Read what the Bible says about David and the LORD in 1 Samuel 16:1,12-13: “[1] And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons…. [12] And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. [13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

Paul repeats in Acts 13:21-22: “[21] And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. [22] And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Certainly, God chose Saul and David to be Israel’s kings. Let me remind you that, in Israel’s program, God is attempting to restore Earth’s governments to Himself, so obviously He will pick the individuals to rule. Moses, Saul, David, and Solomon are the primary examples.

Adonijah (Solomon’s brother, and David’s son) says about Solomon inheriting David’s throne, “it was his from the LORD” (1 Kings 2:15). There were various other kings of Israel that God chose—Jeroboam to be king over the 10 northern tribes, taking them from Solomon’s son Rehoboam (1 Kings 11:11-13); Elisha the prophet received divine revelation to anoint Jehu as king of Israel (2 Kings 9:1-10); et cetera. Daniel, speaking of God’s dealings with mankind during Israel’s program, says, “He [God] changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). As we briefly hinted at earlier, the entire book of Daniel deals with the Gentile powers/kingdoms of the world while Israel is in captivity. God gave the Gentiles political power over Israel because of Israel’s incessant wickedness. In the context of Daniel 2:21, Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon was the ruler God put into power over the then-known world. Likewise, Nebuchadnezzar previews the Antichrist, whom God will also appoint over Israel to judge her during the seven-year Tribulation yet future (Isaiah 10:5).

By the way, friends, we must comment on a related misunderstood verse: “A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment” (Proverbs 16:10). On the basis of this verse, it is said that when a governmental leader speaks today, it is “God’s voice,” and that that voice is infallible. Kings of history, attempting to justify themselves and their policies/decrees, have tried to use this verse to argue that the God of the Bible was speaking in and through them, and so they should not be questioned or disobeyed. Beloved, the book of Proverbs has a context, and the context is Israel’s program in operation. Proverbs is not talking about God’s heavenly program with us. It is talking about God’s earthly program with Israel. It is not talking about our mystery program and the Dispensation of Grace. It is talking about the prophetic program. God was ruling Israel through her king. Look at the verses we have already cited in this study. King Solomon wrote Proverbs 16:10 in light of the verses we have just examined—Israel was a “theocracy,” God ruling the nation through human leaders He had appointed. Nothing about this is difficult, provided we leave the verse where it belongs on the Bible timeline instead of forcing it onto us.

So, in summation thus far, there was a time when God did choose leaders on Earth; furthermore, He will do it again in the future. This is not true today. Thus, dispensational Bible study is ever so important. Unless we “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), we will never understand the differences found throughout God’s Word. There are Bible verses that say God does choose leaders, but we need to remember that those verses apply to Israel’s prophetic program, not our mystery program that is currently operating. Dispensational Bible study is often ignored, so people will use the following verses to claim God is ordaining leaders today. This is erroneous. We need to leave the verses in their contexts, lest we form wrong conclusions about them. Let us see how our God is currently dealing with Earth’s governments.

WHEN GOD IS NOT CHOOSING EARTHLY GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS IN SCRIPTURE

In our dispensation, the Dispensation of the Grace of God, Father God is restoring the governments of Heaven to Himself. Therefore, He is not choosing earthly leaders today. He is not trying to reclaim real estate on planet Earth. Rather, He has chosen people (He has chosen those who are in the Church the Body of Christ—us!) to one day rule in the Heavenly Places. Remember, God did not only create earth but heaven as well (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16). Today, God is interested in restoring His heavenly authority. This was the mystery (secret) that the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed to the Apostle Paul.

Ephesians 1:8-12 explains: “[8] Wherein he [God the Father] hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: [12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

Through prophecy—the Scriptures outside of Paul’s ministry—God had revealed how He would restore Earth unto Himself. We looked at a number of those verses in earlier paragraphs. God kept secret His plan to reconcile the Heavenly Places unto Himself. That secret plan of God has now been made known. We find it in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. The purpose of the Church the Body of Christ is to rule and reign in the Heavens for God’s glory, just as the nation Israel will rule and reign on Earth for God’s glory.

Dear readers, notice the following Scriptures that apply to us today. These verses describe what God is doing with us today, and what He will do with us one day for all eternity:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
  • Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
  • Ephesians 1:20-23: “[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
  • Ephesians 2:6-7: “[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
  • Ephesians 3:10: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”
  • Colossians 1:18-20: “[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth [through Israel], or things in heaven [through us].”
  • 2 Timothy 4:18: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

CONCLUSION

“Divine right of kings” is Scriptural, for we can find it in Scripture. However, it is not dispensational. We cannot find it in our Dispensation of Grace.

In the future, when Israel’s program resumes, exactly as prophecy declares, God will again appoint leaders to rule on Earth, just as He chose Moses, Saul, David, Solomon, and so on. David himself, resurrected, will rule over Israel (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 37:24; Hosea 3:5). The 12 apostles will each rule over one of Israel’s 12 tribes (Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:30) and the rest of the believing Jews will rule over the Gentiles (Matthew 25:14-29; Luke 19:12-27). Jesus Christ Himself will rule over the whole earth (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15). He is “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16) because He will be over all kings and all lords.

Until the Lord Jesus Christ comes back at His magnificent Second Coming, Satan’s evil world system—its politicians, religious leaders, educators, et cetera—will continue to operate. At Christ’s Second Coming, all the kingdoms of the world will become Jesus Christ’s kingdoms. Here, Satan’s world system will be ultimately destroyed. Then, God will ordain His people to lead the Earth’s governments. My, how this corrupt world needs such an arrangement!

Friend, God is not trying to restore Earth’s governments today. That will happen when Jesus Christ returns at His Second Coming to set up His literal, physical, earthly kingdom (see Psalm 2:6-9, Psalm 45:6-7; Isaiah 11; Daniel 2:44, Amos 9:13-15; Zechariah 14; Matthew 25; Hebrews 1:8-9; Revelation 11:15, et cetera). One day, God the Father will personally “anoint” Jesus Christ as King of Heaven and Earth. But, not today. That is not what God is doing today in our mystery program. This is why there is never-ending conflict in the Middle East. Until God Himself gets involved, personally and visibly intervenes, and gets rid of Israel’s enemies, and restores Earth’s governments to Himself, there will be no true peace in the Middle East or in any other part of this fallen world.

Dear readers, there is nothing in Scripture that says that God is selecting our political leaders today. If we do not “rightly divide the word of truth” as 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs us, we are not going to know where to put Bible verses on the Bible timeline. We are just going to mix all the verses together as if they are applicable all at one time. Those verses will butt heads with one another. Ultimately, it will bring nothing but confusion, heartache, and defeat. Just look around at professing “Christianity” if you doubt me.

Today, in the Dispensation of Grace, God is not choosing our leaders. Romans chapter 13 simply means God established governmental powers, and we choose leaders to exercise those powers. God allows us the free will to choose our leaders. We can choose to select leaders who are godly, or leaders who are ungodly. If God chooses our leaders, then it is pointless for us Americans to go vote on Election Day! Think about it, friend.

Enjoy our Bible studies? You can donate securely to us here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. By the way, after much delay, we are almost ready to sell our Bible study booklets. More details next week…hopefully!

Also see:
» How did Satan hinder Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:18?
» How does Satan operate today?
» Where in the Bible did God give Satan domain over the Earth?

ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, THE NATION ISRAEL, Why did Jesus select evil Judas Iscariot to be an apostle?, Why did Jesus select evil Judas Iscariot to be an apostle?

Why did Jesus select evil Judas Iscariot to be an apostle?

IF JUDAS ISCARIOT TURNED OUT TO BE SO EVIL, WHY DID JESUS SELECT HIM TO BE AN APOSTLE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Friend, it is a most provocative question, yes? Why did not Jesus simply select an apostle who would not betray Him? Did He not know the future about Judas Iscariot, what he was really like? We can think of two principle reasons why Jesus, despite knowing full well Judas Iscariot’s true nature, chose him as an apostle. First, the shorter and simpler reason, and then the longer and more complicated one. Beloved, to the Scriptures we go!

1. PSALM 41:9 HAD TO BE FULFILLED

“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

Unless we had a New Testament correlation for this obscure verse, we would have no idea that Psalm 41:9 was actually quoting Jesus Christ many centuries in advance. Reading from John 13:17-21, the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: “[17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. [18] I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. [19] Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. [20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. [21] When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”

Long before it happened, the Lord Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him according to prophecy. The Bible says in Mark 14:17-21: “[17] And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. [18] And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. [19] And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? [20] And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. [21] The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.”

Think about this, dear friends. For just over three years, the Lord Jesus spent the majority of His time with His 12 apostles. He was teaching them and training them to take His place when He would ascend back into heaven to their Heavenly Father. These 12 men and their Lord grew very close together. Walking around together, eating with each other, praying with each other, and hearing the wonderful Word of God together. They grew to be good friends, having been through all sorts of wild and dangerous experiences together—angry mobs, rock-throwing, at least one storm at sea, physical weariness from long journeys, and so on. Witnessing fantastic miracles of all kinds—the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the mute speaking, the lame walking, the storms instantly calming, the dead rising, thousands fed with a few fish and a few loaves of bread, and so on. What adventures!

Returning to our primary passage, I want to draw your attention to one word in Psalm 41:9: “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Judas was not merely a “friend” of Jesus, but the Scriptures call him a “familiar friend.” One of Jesus’ closest friends needed to betray Him. Out of the 12, Judas Iscariot was probably the closest friend of Christ. The Lord Jesus and Judas were like family members, and that made the betrayal unimaginably painful. The Bible says that Judas was the treasurer of the apostles—“he had the [money] bag” (John 12:6; John 13:29). Judas Iscariot was the most trusted apostle. We can only imagine how devastated those 11 other apostles were when Judas Iscariot was manifested as Jesus’ traitor! The one they had trusted to such a great extent, for him to turn over Jesus to apostate Israel and pagan Rome, what a horrendous concept! How shocking to see what he was all along! He was the betrayer of whom Jesus had warned!

2. ISRAEL HAD/HAS TO LEARN A NATIONAL LESSON

When we think about it as it relates to the “grand scheme of things,” Judas Iscariot serves as a warning to Israel, not only during the Four Gospels but particularly during the (future) seven-year Tribulation. The book of the Revelation talks about “them which say they are apostles, and are not” (2:2). It mentions those “which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie” (3:9). There are going to be all sorts of deception during Daniel’s 70th week, the time of Jacob’s trouble. Our Lord made that very clear in Matthew 24:4,5,11,23-24. It will also be a time of great apostasy, people who claimed to know the truth but have left it. Many other verses in Hebrews through Revelation echo this (Hebrews 6:4-9; Hebrews 10:25-31; Hebrews 12:12-17; 2 Peter 2:12-22; 1 John 4:1-4; et cetera). Thus, the little book of 1 John contains a series of tests, to be used by Israel during the seven-year Tribulation. These tests assess Jews to see who belong to the “true fellowship” and who are the “false fellowship” in disguise as the “true fellowship.” That is, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John provided information on how to differentiate between believing Jews and unbelieving Jews during the time period after our Dispensation of Grace ends.

One of the most famous passages quoted today, although out of context, is 1 John 2:18-20. It describes Jews who, like Judas, will claim to be following the truth but who really are following the Antichrist and the lie program. We read in 1 John chapter 2: “[18] Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. [20] But ye have an unction [anointing] from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” Remember, Judas appeared to be a believer in Jesus Christ, but, in the end, he was manifested to be an unsaved man. He never was a heart follower of Jesus Christ, although, externally, he played the hypocrite for over three years! Israel is thus warned of these satanic counterfeits in her midst during Daniel’s 70th week!

Our Lord began to share several parables in Matthew chapter 13. Note the second one, called “The Parable of the Tares of the Field” (verse 36). Beginning in verse 24: “[24] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. [27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? [28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? [29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

What in the world could the Parable of the Tares possibly mean? Friend, we need not guess an interpretation. Rather, the disciples also wondered about it, and they asked Jesus to explain it. He did in verses 37-43, and we accept God’s interpretation as valid: “[36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. [37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. [41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

This is fairly simple to grasp. As Jesus (“the Son of Man;” verse 37) was preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom—“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)—there were Jews who responded to that message by faith. They accepted Jesus as their Messiah-King and were then baptized of John. Matthew 13:38 calls them “the children of the kingdom.” They were “the Little Flock,” the descendants of Abraham who would inherit God’s earthly kingdom (see Luke 12:31-32). In the parable, the believing Jews are called “good seed” and “wheat” (Matthew 13:24-25,38).

However, God the Son was not the only Person operating in Israel. There was Satan, as always, diligently opposing everything God had purposed and was now doing. Satan—which means “Adversary” (or “enemy”) in Hebrew—had “planted” his own minions in Palestine. They were unbelieving/unsaved Jews, people whom Jesus rightly called “children of the devil” (John 8:44). In the parable, Jesus called these hypocrites “tares” (Matthew 13:26). From all outward appearances, they looked and sounded like believing Jews. But, in the heart, they rejected Jesus Christ, and were thus still dead in Adam and in their sins. Toward the end of the parable, the Lord talked about not gathering the tares lest the wheat would be also rooted up (verses 28,29). “Tares” are “weeds,” and as in the real world, tares closely resembled the good crop. These unbelievers went to the Temple for worship, they claimed to follow Moses, they quoted the prophets of old, and so on. But, God could look into their hearts and see who had the circumcision inside—that is, the separation from Adam, and eternal life in Jesus Christ—or who just had some physical circumcision without internal correspondence (see Romans 2:28-29).

Jesus concluded the parable by talking about angels gathering the “tares” (unbelievers) out of Israel’s land and tossing them into eternal hellfire. This will be at the end of the seven-year Tribulation, at the Second Coming of Christ, and just before the establishment of the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. Note again verses 41-43: “[41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Doubtless, our Lord Jesus knew there were many unbelievers lurking in His presence. He spoke of them as being a reality, and Judas heard that parable firsthand. It was in the same time period (roughly halfway through Christ’s three-year earthly ministry) that Jesus Christ spoke the Parable of the Tares as well as the harsh words in John chapter 6. Reading from verse 64 to the end of the chapter: “[64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. [65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. [66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. [67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? [68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. [69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. [70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? [71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.”

By the way, before we wrap this up, note that, after Jesus pointed out to His audience that “there are some of you that believe not” (verse 64), verse 66 says, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Like Judas would do in a year or so, they abandoned Jesus Christ, never to walk with Him again. It was that “offensive” discourse in the chapter that convicted them and drove them away, not to mention that “equally offensive” Parable of the Tares (eternal judgment against the lost) that they knew was coming upon them one day!

Also see:
» Why does the Bible give two accounts of Judas’s death?
» Who was Judas’ replacement—Matthias or Paul?
» Does Matthew 19:27-28 prove Judas is in heaven?

“The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?, “The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?, “The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?, BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, THE NATION ISRAEL

“The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” and Paul’s “mysteries”—same or different?

“THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN” AND PAUL’S “MYSTERIES”—SAME OR DIFFERENT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“I just want to know the difference between the Mystery which was revealed to Paul and the Mysteries of the Kingdom. And what are the mysteries of the Kingdom?”

Hello again, brother. Thanks for that question. Let us get to answering it. It can get a little complicated but I will keep it as simple as possible.

“THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”

The term “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” first appears in the Bible in Matthew chapter 13, when Jesus introduces parables. In verse 10, His disciples ask Him why He speaks to the multitudes in parables. He tells those disciples, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (verse 11). Was Jesus unfair to hide it from some? Not at all.

Firstly, the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” are actually all the parables that the Lord Jesus uttered during the latter half of His earthly ministry. Remember that He had spent approximately one to two years prior preaching to Israel in plain language. Most of Israel ignored Him, mocked Him, ridiculed Him, and so on. After Israel’s unbelief had reached a certain point, after they had rejected God’s Word to the limit, Jesus introduced parables to hide the truth from the masses who did not want to hear and believe. (Please see our study linked at the end of this article, “Why did Jesus forbid others from preaching that He was Christ?”)

Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds, but, later, in private, He explained those parables to His disciples (see Matthew 13:34-52). So, the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” referred to spiritual concepts that God hid from unbelieving Israel because they refused to learn what had been previously revealed to them in the Old Testament. All of these parables were various facets and principles that were true of Israel, her earthly kingdom hope, her covenants and promises, et cetera—prophecies whose beginnings can be found in Genesis through Malachi. Most of the Israelites of Jesus’ day had not been faithful in teaching their children to look for Messiah as found in the Old Testament. Some believed because they had passed down that sound doctrine, but most did not pass it down to the next generation and so there was great spiritual ignorance in Israel when Jesus showed up.

Note Psalm 78:1-4: “[1] Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. [2] I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: [3] Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. [4] We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” (By Jesus telling the parables, He fulfilled verse 2, according to Matthew 13:34-35.)

Again, most of the Jews of Jesus’ day were in unbelief, so they did not see the Old Testament fulfilled in Jesus. The “kingdom of heaven” is a term used to describe Israel’s earthly kingdom. That is unrelated to Paul’s ministry and God’s heavenly kingdom.

By the way, if you want more details here, please see our related study, linked at the end of this article, that defines the term “kingdom of heaven” more fully.

THE MYSTERIES OF PAUL’S MINISTRY

The mystery and the mysteries associated with Paul’s ministry were not things descriptive of Israel and her kingdom program. These were truths that God had purposely withheld from everybody, until it was time to reveal them to the Apostle Paul. You can search Jesus’ parables to find nothing of the things the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul—Israel’s temporary fall, salvation by faith without the Mosaic Law, the formation of the Church the Body of Christ, a heavenly hope, salvation going to all Jews and Gentiles without distinction, the Rapture / coming of Christ for His Body, and so on (Romans 11:25; Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:25-27; Titus 1:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:4-7; et al.).

Remember, the “kingdom of heaven” was Israel’s earthly kingdom. In Israel’s program, there was a difference between Jew and Gentile. Israel was to be redeemed to minister to Gentiles. Paul preached no such thing as true today. Through Israel’s fall, without Israel’s kingdom, without redeemed Israel, salvation was going to Gentiles, and that salvation message was preached by Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-13). In stark contrast, the kingdom of heaven was (and is going to be) God’s way of using restored Israel to reach Gentiles in an earthly kingdom (Romans 11:25-29; Zechariah 8:20-23; Isaiah 60:1-3). Please read and study these passages in your Bible. We will not quote all them for time’s sake.

CONCLUSION

So, the “mysteries” of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the “mysteries” of Paul’s ministry are two different concepts. They should never be confused and conflated into one set of mysteries.

The “mysteries” of Christ’s earthly ministry were mysterious to Israel because she had ignored divine revelation previously given. Hence, Jesus introduced parables—to hide the truth from people who did not want to hear it and believe it anyway. Those who had hearts to believe, Jesus explained the parables to them in private. The “mysteries” of Christ’s earthly ministry were at least revealed to some people—Israel’s little flock of believers. Paul’s “mysteries,” however, were revealed to no one until Paul. The mysteries that Paul preached were secret in God’s mind until He revealed them to Paul in the book of Acts and onward, years after Christ’s earthly ministry in Matthew through John.

Paul’s “mysteries” were “hid in God” (Ephesians 3:9) because God had to let Calvary occur before He could reveal the mystery. Satan had to be caught by surprise (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Although Israel had crucified Messiah, and refused to repent and accept Jesus as Christ in early Acts, God would use Calvary to go to the Gentiles through Paul without Israel. That is what shocked Satan. Satan assumed he had defeated God at Calvary by keeping Israel from becoming a kingdom of priests to reach Gentiles.

Also see:
» What is the difference between “the Kingdom of God” and “the Kingdom of Heaven?”
» Who were the people who followed Jesus before Paul?
» Why did Jesus forbid others from preaching that He was Christ?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, THE NATION ISRAEL, Who was Melchizedek?, Who was Melchizedek?, Who was Melchizedek?

Who was Melchizedek?

WHO WAS MELCHIZEDEK, AND WHAT WAS HE ALL ABOUT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Can you shed some light on who Melchizedek was and what he was all about? There seems to be confusion over him.”

What a question. Thanks! The Bible provides very little about Melchizedek/Melchisedec in the Old Testament. We must go to the “New Testament” Scriptures for the majority of information about him. Melchizedek first appears in the Bible in Genesis 14:18-20: “[18] And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. [19] And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: [20] And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”

From Genesis, we learn three things: (1) Melchizedek was the king of Salem (later called Jerusalem); (2) he was the priest of the most high God, (3) and Abraham paid a 10 percent tithe (income tax) to Melchizedek (head of the local government). Historically, we never read about Melchizedek in the Bible again. We do not know where he came from prior to Genesis chapter 14. Also, we do not know what happened to him after Genesis chapter 14. Hence, Melchizedek is one of the most enigmatic characters in Scripture.

We also know that Melchizedek lived about 500 years before the Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood of Israel was instituted. God created Israel’s priesthood beginning with Moses’ brother, Aaron, and, according to Exodus 28:1, Israel’s priests had to be men of the tribe of Levi, and, of that tribe, they can only be sons of Aaron. Thus, with Israel and the Mosaic Law, Melchizedek’s priesthood is done away. As far as we know from the Bible, no one assumed Melchizedek’s priesthood; the Levitical priesthood is the priesthood that continued all through the Old Testament economy. In contrast, nothing more is said about the Melchizedekian priesthood after Genesis chapter 14.

When we come to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says He will be Israel’s High Priest. For example, Hebrews 3:1: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” And chapter 4 of Hebrews, verses 14-15: “[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” These verses will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Christ onward, right into Israel’s earthly kingdom (His 1000-year reign). But, Christ cannot be a priest of Aaron’s order/course/office because of a covenant change. We will discuss this briefly.

Notice what King David wrote in Psalm 110:4, about 1000 years before Christ: “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent [change his mind], Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” According to Hebrews 5:6,10 and Hebrews 7:17,21, this is God the Father speaking to His Son, Jesus Christ. Notice Hebrews 6:20: “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Thus we see that God the Holy Ghost included Melchizedek in the Old Testament in order to give us a preview of what Jesus Christ would become one day. In other words, Jesus Christ will pick up where Melchizedek left off 4,000 years earlier with his own priesthood.

While I strongly encourage that you read all Hebrews chapter 7 to get a better understanding of this, light commentary will be provided here. That chapter explains how Israel’s priesthood (the Levitical priesthood, as found in the Mosaic Law) will be done away when Jesus Christ makes the New Covenant with Israel at His Second Coming (Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:15-17; cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 11:26-27). The Lord Jesus Christ will replace the Levitical priesthood with His own priesthood of the Melchizedekian course. The reason for this is very simple. The Levitical priesthood is associated with the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law). However, since there will be a New Covenant with Israel, there must also be a new priesthood to accompany that new covenant. The Levitical priesthood can only operate in the Mosaic economy and it can only benefit the Jews. In contrast, the Melchizedekian priesthood has no limits. It was pre-Israel, pre-Law, and pre-Moses, so it can involve the whole world, and remember that Jesus Christ will rule over the whole world as King and Priest in His millennial kingdom.

Notice Hebrews 7:11-12 talks about this change in priesthoods and covenants: “[11] If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? [12] For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” In the ages to come, the New Covenant will replace the Old Covenant, and Jesus Christ’s Melchizedekian priesthood will replace the Levitical priesthood.

CONCLUSION

Melchizedek is a type (preview, figure, shadow) of what Jesus Christ will be one day—both a King and a Priest. Interestingly, Melchizedek served as King and Priest of Salem (Jerusalem), the very place where Jesus Christ will serve as King and Priest one day! Notice Zechariah 6:12-13 speaks of Jesus Christ as King and Priest. Hebrews 7:2 says that Melchizedek was not only “the King of Righteousness” (the meaning of the Hebrew word, “Melchizedek”) but he was also “the King of Peace” (his title was “the King of Salem,” and shalom/salem is Hebrew for “peace”). The King of Peace and The King of Righteousness are both titles of Christ (see Isaiah 9:6-7 and Jeremiah 23:5-6, for example). This shows us just how intricately written God’s Word is… the Author of Genesis knew what Hebrews would say, some 1500 years later, to be fulfilled some 3500 years later!

SUPPLEMENTAL – WAS MELCHIZEDEK A THEOPHANY?

Was Melchizedek a pre-incarnate Jesus Christ? (This may be the “confusion” you referenced?) Hebrews 7:3 has been used to support this notion: “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” Some have argued that Melchizedek must have been God in human form in order for Melchizedek to be known as “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” “Who else but God could have these attributes?,” it is asked.

For a while, I wondered about this myself, never being fully satisfied with others’ comments on the subject. Not long ago, I settled it in my mind. Personally, I believe that Hebrew 7:3’s language here is vague because the (original) Old Testament description of Melchizedek was unclear. As mentioned earlier, the Scriptures do not provide explanations are to Melchizedek’s origin, his family/lineage, when he was born, when he died, what happened to him, and so on. In stark contrast, the characteristics of Aaron’s (Levitical) priesthood are clearly defined in order to limit its participants.

The Aaronic priesthood, the Levitical priesthood, began with the Law of Moses. It ended with Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple in A.D. 70. As made clear in Leviticus and Hebrews, the Levitical priesthood had a strict bloodline, so not just anyone could serve in it. In comparison, Melchizedek’s was limitless, having never really had a clear beginning nor a clear ending. Melchizedek served Gentiles evidently, for national Israel was not in existence during his priesthood. In contrast, the Levitical priesthood only served Israel. The Gentiles who bless Israel in her program and Israel herself need a High Priest, and Jesus Christ will be both the Gentiles’ High Priest and the Jews’ High Priest in the ages to come. Additionally, Jesus Christ’s priesthood will never end because, unlike the Levitical priests who were replaced after their demise, He will never die (see Hebrews 7:23-28). In reality, Jesus Christ has no father and no mother—He is the eternal Son of God. Details about Melchizedek were withheld in order to closely identify with Jesus Christ, and to make Melchizedek the perfect preview of the King-Priest Jesus Christ will become in Father God’s own time!

Also see:
» Why was Jesus water baptized?
» Did the 12 preach the Gospel of the Kingdom after Christ ascended?
» How were Gentiles saved before our Dispensation of Grace?

THE NATION ISRAEL, Who is “the Israel of God” of Galatians 6:16?

Who is “the Israel of God” of Galatians 6:16?

WHO IS “THE ISRAEL OF GOD” OF GALATIANS 6:16?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Bible says in Galatians 6:15-16: “[15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. [16] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Who is “the Israel of God” here? Is it the nation Israel, or the Church the Body of Christ? We will look at the context and let the Bible interpret itself.

Recently, I was flipping through a study Bible that a friend had given me. The author is a famous Bible teacher and seminarian who talks about “grace” but actually knows very little about it. His footnote for Galatians 6:16 was: “Israel of God. All Jewish believers in Christ, i.e., those who are both physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham (see notes on 3:7,18; Rom. 2:28,29; 9:6-7).” Strangely, his introductory remarks for the book of Galatians included the following: “Finally, many claim that Paul erased the line between Israel and the church when he identified the church as the ‘Israel of God’ (6:16).” This typifies the nonsense prevalent in scholarly circles. That Bible teacher complained about the “interpretative challenges” of people who blur the distinctions between Israel and the Church the Body of Christ… and he did it himself throughout his own study Bible!

Years ago, before I came to understand dispensational Bible study, when I was still a denominational Christian, I assumed that we believers were members of whatever group of believers the 12 apostles had joined. I assumed that the church present in Acts chapter 2 was continuing even to our present-day. So many people in Christendom share that view (see the above study Bible notes). This “one-church-in-the-Bible” idea—this “New Testament Church” idea—only blurs the distinction between the nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ. The term “New Testament Church” is a very poor term because it hides the fact that there are two “churches” in the “New Testament” Scriptures. There is the nation Israel and then there is the Church the Body of Christ. To adopt the term “New Testament Church” is to do what so many have done—blur Israel and the Body of Christ.

If we say that the Apostles Peter and Paul preached to and taught the same group of believers, then we have a major problem that will never, ever be solved. Why? Because Peter preached one thing and Paul preached another thing. Just go read Galatians chapter 2, friend. You would have to want to miss it to miss it. To say Peter and Paul preached the same message, when verses tell us otherwise, we would be forced to say that God is most definitely the author of confusion. For God to tell the same group of people two different sets of information is an absurd notion. Peter and Paul were not leading the same church or group of believers, which is why they taught different doctrine. There was the Messianic Church (redeemed Israel, destined for God’s earthly kingdom) and then there was the Church the Body of Christ (believing Jews and Gentiles, destined for God’s heavenly program). Okay, well, enough with the introduction. Now, to the question at hand.

“THE ISRAEL OF GOD”

We must understand the context of the book of Galatians if we are to understand that term “the Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16. Galatians seems to be Paul’s earliest epistle, written between Acts chapters 15 and 17 (probably closer to chapter 17). After all, Paul wrote Galatians partly because of the apostolic meeting of Acts chapter 15 (compare with Galatians chapter 2). The great Jerusalem Conference—where James, Peter, and John met with Paul and Barnabas—was the opportunity for the Messianic Church in Jerusalem to learn of a new body of believers that God had been forming using Paul’s ministry and Gospel message. In addition to God having born-again Israel, He was now, with Paul’s ministry, forming a body of believers in which there was neither Jew nor Gentile. That “new creature” is called the Church the Body of Christ. In time past, God had made the distinction between Jews and Gentiles. See Romans 15:8, John 4:22, Romans 9:4-5, Matthew 15:24, and Ephesians 2:11-12, just to name a few verses.

Now, Galatians 6:15 says there is no difference in the Body of Christ between Jew and Gentile. The Little Flock, Israel’s believing remnant—led by James, Peter, and John—had to learn to now get along with this new part of God’s family. With Paul’s ministry, God had reached out to heathen idolaters. Through Jesus Christ’s shed blood, He had washed them and redeemed them! Again, Galatians 6:15-16: “[15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. [16] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Those heathen were no longer children of Satan but now the children of God via the Body of Christ (Paul’s ministry and Gospel message). Israel’s Little Flock had to learn this. In Acts chapter 10, Peter had to learn to go to Gentile Cornelius.

But, why does Galatians 6:16 say “the Israel of God.” Friend, there is also an Israel of Satan. Jesus said that the Pharisees were of “[their] father the Devil” (John 8:44). There is an apostate nation of Jewish people who are not born-again. God’s wrath will consume them. They are the tares (weeds) the Devil has sown among the wheat (believing Jews, true Israel). Note “The Parable of the Tares of the Field” in Matthew chapter 13, verse 24: “[24] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. [27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? [28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? [29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Now, we move on to verses 36-43 for the interpretation: “[36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. [37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. [41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

As Jesus (“the Son of Man;” verse 37) preached the Gospel of the Kingdom—“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)—there were Jews who responded to that message by faith. They accepted Jesus as their Messiah-King and were then baptized of John. Matthew 13:38 says they were “the children of the kingdom.” They were “the Little Flock,” the descendants of Abraham who would inherit God’s earthly kingdom (see Luke 12:31-32). In the parable, the believing Jews are called “good seed” and “wheat” (Matthew 13:24-25,38). They are the “Israel of God” referred to in Galatians 6:16. They are called “the foolish nation” in Romans 11:19, the “little flock” in Luke 12:32, and “the remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5).

However, God the Son was not the only Person operating in Israel. There was Satan, as always, diligently opposing everything God had purposed and was now doing. Satan—which means “Adversary” (synonym for “enemy”) in Hebrew—had “planted” his own minions in Palestine. They were unbelieving/unsaved Jews. Again, as we mentioned, they were people whom Jesus rightly called “children of the devil” (John 8:44). In the parable, Jesus called these hypocrites “tares” (Matthew 13:26). From all outward appearances, they looked and sounded like believing Jews. But, in their hearts, they rejected Jesus Christ, and were thus still dead in Adam and in their sins. Toward the end of the parable, the Lord talked about not gathering the tares lest the wheat be rooted up as well (verses 28,29). “Tares” are “weeds,” and as in the real world, the tares closely resembled the good crop. These unbelievers went to the Temple for worship, they claimed to follow Moses, they quoted the prophets of old, and so on. But, God could look into their hearts and see who had the circumcision inside—that is, the separation from Adam, and eternal life in Jesus Christ—or who just had some physical circumcision without the internal correspondence (see Romans 2:28-29).

Jesus concluded the parable by talking about angels gathering the “tares” (unbelievers) out of Israel’s land and tossing them into eternal hellfire. This will be at the end of the seven-year Tribulation, at the Second Coming of Christ, and just before the establishment of the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. Note again verses 41-43: “[41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

As we can see, not just any descendant of Abraham forms the nation Israel. As Romans chapter 9 explains: “[6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. [8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [9] For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.” According to Genesis chapters 16 and 17, Abraham had two sons—his firstborn, Ishmael (Abraham’s own doing), and then Isaac (God’s promised son). See also Galatians chapter 4, verses 22-31. The Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3 passed to Isaac not Ishmael.

But, Isaac had two sons—twins, Esau and Jacob. The Abrahamic Covenant passed to Jacob not Esau. Romans chapter 9 continues, “[10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Please note that “Jacob” here refers to the nation Israel that came from Jacob, and “Esau” here refers to the Edomites who descended from Esau. Compare Genesis 25:23, God’s word to Rebekah, mother of Esau and Jacob, “two nations are in thy womb.”

In summary, Abraham had two sons—Ishmael and Isaac. Isaac had two sons—Esau and Jacob. But, in God’s purpose and plan for the Earth, Abraham’s “seed” is restricted to Isaac’s descendants and it is restricted even further to Jacob’s descendants (Jacob’s 12 sons). But, it is limited even further—only the born-again descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob. That outward circumcision in the flesh made by hands, was to represent something God wanted to do to each individual Jew on the inside. Only those Jews who have an inward, spiritual circumcision can be used of God. It was more than some outward religious rite but a spiritual issue that the religious rite was to depict. Who is a “true Jew?” Romans 2:28-29 answers: “[28] For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: [29] But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

The Old Testament had predicted this spiritual condition that God had wanted for each individual Jew. Notice Deuteronomy 10:16: “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” God repeatedly warned Israel about her need to turn from her wicked ways. Deuteronomy 30:6: “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” (This is yet future, after our Dispensation of Grace ends, when Jesus Christ comes back to restore Israel unto Himself; see Romans 11:25-29.)

Note Jeremiah 4:4: “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.” And Leviticus 26:41, the LORD speaking of Israel’s restoration one day: “And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:”

Read about how God’s judgment coming on wicked Gentiles will also fall on Israel as well: “[25] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised; [26] Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart” (Jeremiah 9:25-26).

Ezekiel 44:7-9 speaks of “uncircumcised in heart” Gentiles: “[7] In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. [8] And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. [9] Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.” And, finally, Stephen’s castigation of unbelieving Israel in Acts 7:51: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”

The Lord Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 21 crystallize it: “[42] Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? [43] Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. [44] And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. [45] And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. [46] But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” Jesus said that the Pharisees and chief priests, cloaked in their religious “goodness,” would never enter God’s earthly kingdom. They were not to Israel of God. Their hearts were filled with unbelief and Satan’s policy of evil was working in them mightily. Thus, Jesus was quite frank. He would crush them in judgment when He would return at His Second Coming.

Just as there were in the Revelation (Revelation 2:9; Revelation 3:9) those Jews “of the synagogue of Satan” (biological descendants of Abraham who did not share his faith), there were Jews in Paul’s day who were biological descendants of Abraham but who did not share his faith. The Holy Spirit was sure to highlight this distinction in Galatians 6:16. It is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, although the actual term is limited to Paul’s epistles.

CONCLUSION

The “Israel of God” of Galatians 6:16 is not the Body of Christ. We have not replaced Israel. We are not a continuation of Israel. When the Bible says “Israel,” it means “Israel.” We take the Bible literally. We do not spiritualize and tell spiritual lies (“the verse means something other than what it says”). “The Israel of God” is the Little Flock, the Jews who will be saved into the kingdom on Earth, the born-again followers (converts) in John the Baptist’s ministry, Christ’s earthly ministry, and the ministry of the 12 apostles in early Acts. God considers them true Israel, “the Israel of God” (the Israel He created). That expression is in contradistinction to Satan’s Israel, those unbelieving Jews who claim to be serving God and yet they are un-regenerated (lost), children of the Devil. “The Israel of God” has nothing to do with Jewish believers in the Church the Body of Christ and Paul’s ministry. It has nothing to do with us. Friend, leave it where it fits in the Bible timeline and you will not get confused.

*NOTE: Saints, after a two-year delay, we have finally launched our new flagship ministry website, arCGraceMinistries.org! Here, you will find our Statement of Faith, links to all seven of our ministry websites, as well as news items, and information on how to purchase our (new) Bible study booklets now in print!

Also see:
» Was the Church the Body of Christ predicted in John 10:16?
» What does Matthew 21:43 mean?
» Who were the people who followed Christ before Paul?

Did John 10:16 predict the Church the Body of Christ?, Did John 10:16 predict the Church the Body of Christ?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, THE NATION ISRAEL

Did John 10:16 predict the Church the Body of Christ?

DID JOHN 10:16 PREDICT THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Apostle John recorded Jesus Christ as saying in John 10:14-16: “[14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Was verse 16 predicting the formation of the Church the Body of Christ? Should we agree with the many who espouse that position in the ranks of Christendom? Let us search the Scriptures.

When we read about the Lord Jesus as “Shepherd” and Him leading “sheep” in John 10:16, our minds should recall Matthew 10:6, when He had previously instructed His 12 apostles, “Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” In Matthew 15:24, He said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Other verses should come to mind as well. For example, Isaiah 40:11, written over 700 years B.C.: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” However, the majority of these parallel verses are in the book of Ezekiel. Its 34th chapter predicts the restoration of the nation Israel; that is, God bringing her out of her Satanic and Gentile captivity, reestablishing fellowship with her, and bringing her into her land and His earthly kingdom. As the verses quoted above suggest, Jesus Christ began to bring this restoration about during His earthly ministry (along with the ministries of John the Baptist and the 12 apostles).

Let us turn to the 34th chapter of Ezekiel and read the words of the prophet. Please note especially the bolded terms and clauses:

“[1] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? [3] Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. [4] The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. [5] And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. [6] My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.”

Israel’s religious leaders—the priests and the other Levites—were unfaithful in communicating God’s Word to God’s nation. This was one reason why Israel disintegrated spiritually, economically, politically, socially, et cetera. They were not faithful to the covenant delineated in the writings of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Without the foundational doctrine of that Mosaic Law, the Jews embraced Satan’s plan for them. They became increasingly idolatrous, unfaithful to the one true God. God was very upset because the men He had placed to guide His people into His truth had driven them so deep into error, false religion, heathenism. His people were lost sheep, scattered and wandering about. No one cared enough to search for them and bring them back to their spiritual Father. Let us keep reading in Ezekiel chapter 34, again noting the bolded words and phrases:

“[7] Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; [8] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; [9] Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; [10] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.”

Divine judgment was coming upon these shepherds, these religious leaders of Israel, who thought more about themselves than about God’s people they were to lead. (Sound familiar?) God would punish these leaders for polluting His people, His nation in the Earth. He would also deliver His people from these apostate leaders, these phonies, these men of Satan. JEHOVAH God would do for Israel what no one else was willing to do for her. He would search for His sheep, seek them out, and do good unto them despite their unfaithfulness! They were so disloyal to Him as a cheating wife would be to her husband, but He was so faithful beyond words. No matter what, He would keep His word to them! The following verses provide greater detail. Again, continuing in Ezekiel chapter 34, we note the bolded words:

“[11] For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. [12] As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. [13] And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. [14] I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. [15] I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. [16] I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. [17] And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. [18] Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? [19] And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.”

These phrases resemble the Lord Jesus’ words in the Four Gospels—and now you know He was quoting Ezekiel! The rest of the chapter is just too awesome to ignore, so we will provide it so you can see additional glimpses into the 1000-Year Reign of Christ on Earth. Once again, note the bolded statements: “[20] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. [21] Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; [22] Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. [23] And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. [24] And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. [25] And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. [26] And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. [27] And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. [28] And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. [29] And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. [30] Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. [31] And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.”

Now, with all of that background from the Prophet Ezekiel, we return to the Four Gospels to understand the purpose of Christ’s earthly ministry. In Matthew 10:6, He had instructed His 12 apostles to “go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” And, in Matthew 15:24, Jesus said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The Lord Jesus and His apostles were working to fulfill Ezekiel chapter 34, among other prophecies! They were all trying to lead Israel back to faith in JEHOVAH God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were attempting to rescue Israel from the vain religious system (Satanism, idolatry) that had so corrupted them. They were trying to convert Israel so they could become His kingdom of priests and then be able to reach the Gentiles. Then, the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) and the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) would be fulfilled.

Returning to John 10:14-16, we now better understand Jesus’ words: “[14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

Jesus Christ was the “Good Shepherd”—the Leader of Israel who would do what most of Israel’s religious leaders had failed to do for centuries upon centuries. As we read earlier, the LORD had promised in Ezekiel 34:12: “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” The Lord Jesus was starting to fulfill this in His earthly ministry.

Check Luke 12:31-32, Jesus’ promise to give Israel’s kingdom to her believing remnant: “[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. [32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” See also Luke 22:28-30. This “little flock”—John the Baptist’s converts, disciples of Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry, and the converts of the 12 Apostles in early Acts—are those who Jesus Christ has led back to Father God (thus fulfilling Ezekiel chapter 34, for example). They will (future from our day) become the kingdom of priests that God intended to form with Abraham’s descendants!

Returning one last time to John chapter 10: “[14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” When Jesus spoke these words, there were still more lost Jews who needed to be converted by placing their faith in Him and being water baptized. Remember, later, Peter’s preaching led to the conversion of almost 3,000 Jewish souls on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). Another 5,000 Jews were saved through the Apostles’ preaching in Acts 4:4. John 10:16 was referring to this. Additional Israelites (“lost sheep of the house of Israel”) were now forsaking their spiritual wickedness and ignorance, and coming to understand Jesus Christ as their Messiah-King. This formation of Israel’s Little Flock continued throughout the rest of the book of Acts until we come to Paul’s ministry, before it eventually fell away. That Little Flock will form the earthly kingdom of priests when Jesus Christ returns (1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 20:6; cf. Zechariah 8:20-23; Isaiah 61:6; Jeremiah 3:17; Exodus 19:5-6).

THE BODY OF CHRIST – A SECRET UNTIL THE APOSTLE PAUL

Friend, now, notice this often-overlooked passage from Ephesians. Chapter 3: “[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. [8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; [9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to write that God’s people did not always know about the Church the Body of Christ. There was a time when that “fellowship” of believing Jews and Gentiles in one Body was completely unknown to man (verses 3-9). Hence, it is called “the mystery” (secret). These verses say that Paul’s ministry was the “due time” that God finally revealed the secret that He had kept hidden in Himself (see Romans 16:25-26; Colossians 1:24-26; 1 Timothy 2:3-87; Titus 1:1-3). Had Jesus Christ predicted the Body of Christ in John 10:16, then it could not have been “hid in God” until Paul (Ephesians 3:9).

CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ in no way spoke of the Church the Body of Christ in the books of Matthew through John. John 10:16 is certainly not a reference to us, the Church the Body of Christ. God’s purpose in Christ’s earthly ministry was to form believing Israel, not the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ did not speak about the Church the Body of Christ during His earthly ministry (Matthew through John) because it was not time to reveal it. To force us into Christ’s earthly ministry is just another error that causes us to (wrongly) conclude that we are the nation Israel, that we have replaced Israel, that we are a continuation of Israel, and so on. Do not disregard dispensational Bible boundaries and harmonize the Bible passages that are meant to be separated. We are to “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Friends, let us look at verses in context. A failure to do so will just bring about more confusion.

Also see:
» Is the Church the Body of Christ in Matthew 16:18?
» Who is the “nation” in Matthew 21:43?
» Did the Church the Body of Christ begin in Acts 2?

“The fulness of the Gentiles” and “The times of the Gentiles”—same or different?, “The fulness of the Gentiles” and “The times of the Gentiles”—same or different?, “The fulness of the Gentiles” and “The times of the Gentiles”—same or different?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST

“The fulness of the Gentiles” and “The times of the Gentiles”—same or different?

“THE FULNESS OF THE GENTILES” AND “THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES”—SAME OR DIFFERENT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Romans 11:25: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

Luke 21:24: “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

Are these two terms—“the fulness of the Gentiles” and “the times of the Gentiles”—the same event on the Bible timeline? Dear friends, let us search the Scriptures for the answer. It helps to read the context, context, context!

When writing to young Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). If we are to understand and enjoy the Bible, we must “study… rightly dividing the word of truth.” What does this mean exactly? We need to make the proper divisions in God’s Word that God Himself has made in His Word, the Holy Bible. Unless we recognize these divisions, there will be unanswerable confusion when we approach the Bible. Just look at the 40,000 denominations in Christendom!

Dispensational Bible study is simply placing verses on a timeline, starting in Genesis (left) and ending in the Revelation (right). Rather than making all verses valid for every moment in human history, as denominational theology does, right division involves placing God’s instructions to man as they were given progressively. For example, God did not reveal all of His will to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Certain instructions were true for them, things that are not true for us. God did not reveal all of His will to the nation Israel. Whatever God revealed to Israel, He expected them to believe and do. That is not what God wants us to do today either.

The Holy Spirit wrote that Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). In Paul’s epistles alone, we find our doctrine, our duty, our walk, and our destiny. These are the Bible books of Romans through Philemon, written to us Gentiles in the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Ephesians 3:2). Whenever we grab verses in Paul’s epistles and try to make them fit with the rest of the Bible, trouble and confusion are sure to arise. Whenever we grab verses outside of Paul’s writings and try to fit them into Paul’s writings, trouble and confusion are sure to arise. These two errors are the primary reasons why Christianity is so messed up today.

Let us now look at these two verses—Luke 21:24 and Romans 11:25—and how right division clears up the confusion and ushers in such clarity.

“THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES”

Luke 21:24: “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” The Lord Jesus picked up on an expression first coined in Ezekiel, chapter 30, verse 3: “For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.” The Prophet Ezekiel served between the first invasion of Jerusalem by Babylon (606 B.C.) and Babylon’s final invasion and destruction of Jerusalem (586 B.C.). The “day of the LORD” is the time when God has cast Israel out of her land. At the time of Ezekiel’s ministry, Israel is not yet fully deported out of the land of Palestine. But, that time is approaching.

Israel was to be God’s chief nation in the Earth. But, she failed to keep all of His commandments, the Mosaic Law. They broke that Old Covenant. So, God let Israel be scattered amongst the Gentiles, exiled from their Promised Land. You can read about this in Leviticus 26:27-39. We read from Exodus 19:5-6: “[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” That promise was conditional. God would only make Israel His kingdom of priests if Israel listened to Him without exception. But, as Jeremiah 31:31-32 says of Israel during Ezekiel’s time: “[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:”

As we know, Israel failed to be God’s nation. So, the Gentiles would rule over her instead. Gentile empires would dominate her Promised Land. Satan’s governments would rule over that land of Palestine. For example, see Psalm 106: “[41] And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. [42] Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.” In 722 B.C., the Assyrians took Israel’s northern kingdom captive. In 586 B.C., the Babylonians came in and destroyed Jerusalem, and Israel’s southern kingdom, Judah, was deported. The Medes and the Persians became the dominant Gentile powers once Babylon fell. The Greeks and the Romans then ruled over Israel. Even today, Israel is not the dominant nation in the Earth as God intended. The time of the Gentiles is ongoing. Heathen/pagans/unbelievers still trod Jerusalem’s streets. Gentiles are still trying to take Israel’s land from her.

Still, Satan’s activity in Israel’s land will culminate after our Dispensation of Grace. When the Antichrist appears after the Rapture, Satan will rule Israel’s land with an iron fist, killing any and every person who does not participate in his false religious system. We learn this in Revelation chapter 13, and Daniel chapters 8 and 11. Paul talks about this in some detail in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. The Antichrist will rule during a time period known as “the seven-year Tribulation,” or “Daniel’s 70th week” (Daniel 9:24-27). Approximately halfway through those seven years, the Antichrist will be manifested for what he really is. Unbelieving Israel will learn just how evil and satanic he is, but by that time it will be too late.

Okay, that was little digression, and we need to be getting back to Luke 21:24. Luke chapter 21 (Matthew chapter 24; Mark chapter 13) is Jesus’s famous Second Mount Olivet Discourse. He is giving His disciples a grand summary of the end-times scenario. “Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?” (Luke 21:7). In Matthew 24:3, the question is worded, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Verses 20-24 of Luke chapter 21 are Jesus’ comments about the midpoint of that seven-year Tribulation. Gentile armies will come into Jerusalem and walk its streets. They will do so until the seven years finish. Then, Jesus Christ will return and destroy them all, and establish God’s literal, physical, visible kingdom in the Earth! Israel will finally be God’s chief nation in the Earth (see Romans 11:11-29).

“THE FULNESS OF THE GENTILES”

Romans 11:25: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

Sad to say it, but “ignorant” describes 99.9 percent of Christians today. They could not communicate basic Bible truths if their lives depended on it. But, they still read “Christian bestsellers,” sing and dance in “Christian worship,” and claim to be “filled with the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Spirit through Paul urged us in Romans 11:25 not to be “ignorant” of the fact that Israel is spiritually blinded today. We are not Israel. We have not replaced Israel. God is not finished with the nation Israel. Today, God is forming the Church the Body of Christ, not His earthly people but rather His heavenly people.

The most common theme of Paul’s ministry and message is that salvation and blessing is coming to the Gentiles through the fall of Israel. We receive that Gospel message of Christ’s finished crosswork from the preaching and writing of Paul, our apostle, God’s spokesman to us. The Bible says in Romans 11:11-13: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”

But, as the rest of Romans chapter 11 goes on to say, especially in verse 25, Israel is not fallen forever. She is not blinded forever. God is not permanently finished with her. Israel is only blinded “until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” There is a time when Israel will be restored to God. There is a time when Israel’s prophetic program will resume. We read about this in the books of Hebrews through the Revelation, the conclusion of prophecy, the culmination of all the Old Testament prophecies.

“The fulness of the Gentiles” is when God is finished forming (“fulness” = completion of) the Church the Body of Christ, which is composed of Gentiles. (Since Israel is fallen, even Jews are considered Gentiles in God’s mind today.) God will end our Dispensation of Grace one day. He will close our mystery program one day. He will not reach Gentiles without Israel forever. The Church the Body of Christ will not continue on this Earth forever. One day, we who have trusted Jesus Christ exclusively as our personal Savior, we will be taken to heaven, at the “Rapture,” to do God’s will there in the heavenly places. After that, Israel’s program can resume where it paused 2,000 years ago. Again, Hebrews through Revelation document this continuation of Israel’s program. One day, Father God will restore Israel with the New Covenant, cleanse her of her sins, and make her His people. See Hebrews chapters 8 and 10.

CONCLUSION

There is a tendency for people to correlate these verses and terms—“the fulness of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:25) and “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). Nevertheless, the language is different, demonstrating that they involve two different sets of circumstances. The Lord Jesus picked up on an expression first coined in Ezekiel 30:3. Paul, however, did not derive his term from anywhere in the Old Testament. This alone shows us that the Lord Jesus and Paul are relating two different events. Paul’s term (Romans 11:25) involved a “mystery,” something not previously known but later revealed by God. If Jesus in His earthly ministry (Luke 21:24) spoke of what Paul would later write, could the Holy Spirit honestly write that Paul’s doctrine in Romans 11:25 was a secret? Of course not, for Jesus Himself would have already told His Jewish disciples in Luke 21:24 years earlier. There would be no “secret” for God to reveal to us through Paul!

“The times of the Gentiles” has been operating ever since the Babylonians began deporting Jews to Babylon. For over 2,500 years now, Gentiles having been ruling over Israel and her land, when Israel was supposed to be God’s chief nation had she not disobeyed Him. “The fulness of the Gentiles” involves God forming the Church the Body of Christ of people without distinction (Jews are considered Gentiles in the Dispensation of Grace). This has only been going on for the last 2,000 years (beginning with the Apostle Paul). “The fulness of the Gentiles” will end at the Rapture, when the Body of Christ is complete, while “the times of the Gentiles” will conclude at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming at least seven years later.

Also see:
» What is Replacement Theology?
» Are we “grafted in” to Israel? What does Romans 11:16-24 teach?
» Why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Should we “name and claim” Jeremiah 29:11?, Should we “name and claim” Jeremiah 29:11?, THE NATION ISRAEL

Should we “name and claim” Jeremiah 29:11?

SHOULD WE “NAME AND CLAIM” JEREMIAH 29:11?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Jeremiah 29:11 is quoted ad nauseum in Christendom, especially in “evangelical” and “conservative” circles: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Can and does this apply to us in this the Dispensation of Grace? Should we “name and claim” it? What is it really talking about? It does not matter what the preachers say or the denominations say. What matters is what God’s Word actually says. “For what saith the Scriptures?” If we look at the context, it is apparently clear what Jeremiah 29:11 is discussing and to whom it applies.

Today’s lukewarm Christianity mindlessly quotes Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” However, who quotes Jeremiah 21:10, a verse found in the same Bible book? “For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.” Why does religion just select one appealing verse but toss out the verses that do not support the system they are promoting? What dishonesty! What a shameful way to treat the Book of the God of the universe.

THE CONTEXT OF JEREMIAH 29:11

Before JEHOVAH God could have good thoughts toward Jerusalem and the nation Israel, He had to first deal with their sins. Rather than relying on God’s grace—God freely giving them everything they needed—they agreed to enter into a covenant with Him (Exodus chapters 19-24). This was the Old Covenant, the Mosaic Law (part of it was the Ten Commandments). Israel contracted to perform perfectly to gain His blessings and acceptance; to fail in a single point was to merit His wrath and curses. Even today, “Christian” people get hung up on Israel’s works-religion system. They never learned the lesson of Israel’s history. Shame!

Exodus 19:3-6: “[3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [4] Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. [5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us” (Deuteronomy 6:25).

Finally, Deuteronomy chapter 28: “[1] And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: [2] And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God…. [14] And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. [15] But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:….”

Israel was doomed to fail right from day 1, but God loves freedom so much that He gave them exactly what they wanted. They wanted religion, and they got just that, along with the consequences of weak human nature.

So, we reach the time of the Prophet Jeremiah. Nine hundred years after the ratification of the Mosaic system, and Israel (technically, the southern kingdom of Judah) is entering the fifth course of judgment. What began in the book of Judges (because of her pagan idolatry) is now in its fifth and final phase—after four previous attempts of JEHOVAH trying to reform them with chastisement, Leviticus 26:27-39 says Israel must now be removed from the Promised Land. Jeremiah 21:10 is Jeremiah’s message from God to warn Judah that the Babylonian armies are coming: Jerusalem will be sacked, its walls burned to the ground, the Temple destroyed, and the Jews will be led away captive to present-day Iraq. The Jews are instructed not to fight but rather capitulate to their enemies’ desires. In 586 B.C., Jerusalem was decimated—the Babylonians cleansed JEHOVAH’S land of idolatry. Jeremiah 29:11 is Israel’s hope in such a hopeless condition!

We read in Jeremiah 29:14: “And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” From 606 B.C. to 536 B.C., Judah was captive in Babylon. JEHOVAH told them that after those 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12; cf. Daniel 9:2), He would bring these Jews back to Jerusalem; He would not leave them hopeless, for He still had marvelous plans for them despite their unbelief and disobedience.

Read Jeremiah 29:11 in its context: “[10] For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. [11] For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. [12] Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. [14] And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

The Jewish Bible, which ends with 2 Chronicles, concludes with Israel back in her homeland (chapter 36): “[20] And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: [21] To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. [22] Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, [23] Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.”

These two Jewish expeditions from exile to Jerusalem are recorded in the Bible books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Nevertheless, many Jews are still scattered worldwide today, and certainly not enjoying God’s earthly kingdom as they should have. Again, Jeremiah 29:11 is Israel’s hope in such a hopeless condition!

We read in Jeremiah 23:5-6: “[5] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. [6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

The Old Testament “Major Prophets” (the five “large” books of Isaiah through Daniel) and the “Minor Prophets” (the 12 “small” books of Hosea through Malachi) have two main themes—God’s judgment on the Jews in response to their centuries of pagan idolatry by forcing them out of His land, and God’s forgiving and restoring Israel to return to that Promised Land and enjoy His earthly kingdom forever. Although Jeremiah devoted large portions of his ministry and book to that impending divine wrath, the Holy Spirit moved him to also preach and write verses that declared that God’s Messiah would come to deliver Israel from the religious (spiritual), social, and political mess in which she put herself (see Jeremiah 23:5-6 above).

While Judah was captive in Babylon, JEHOVAH revealed to the Prophet Daniel that in addition to 70 years necessary for the Promised Land’s cleansing, 70 weeks of years (or 490 years) were needed to cleanse the Jewish people (Daniel 9:24-27). After this 490-year period, Messiah would come and deliver Israel from her sins and her enemies. Once Jesus Christ came, Israel had the prospect to be a redeemed people in a cleansed land. Just as that 69th week of years expired, they delivered Him to the Romans to have Him die on an awful Roman cross. He resurrected and returned to heaven rejected.

Now, one seven-year period (Daniel’s 70th week) remains on the prophetic calendar before Jesus Christ can return for Israel and establish her kingdom (Jeremiah 23:5-6). When He comes the second time, He will use His blood shed at Calvary to establish a New Covenant to take away Israel’s sins (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Acts 3:19; Romans 11:26,27; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:15-17). Yes, Jeremiah 29:11 is still true—God’s wonderful plans for Israel are to be fulfilled in His own time!

Jerusalem, the Babylonians are coming, the Babylonians are coming!
Jerusalem, the Jews are coming, the Jews are coming!
Jerusalem, the Messiah is coming, the Messiah is coming!

JEREMIAH 29:11 AND US IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

Never once does our Apostle Paul quote Jeremiah 29:11 as applicable to us. It is a good verse, a wonderful verse, but it is not to or about us. It is to and about the nation Israel. The basic fallacy in Christendom today has been the 2,000-year-long practice of grabbing Israel’s verses, completely disregarding the contexts, and making them apply to us. For example, Matthew 28:19-20, Isaiah 45:15, Acts 2:38, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 55:11, Matthew 16:18, James 5:14-16, Deuteronomy 8:18, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Malachi 3:8-11, et cetera. Jeremiah 29:11 applies to people who were taken captive to Babylon (verse 10!). Were we ever in Babylonian captivity? No, but Israel was. We cannot claim verse 10 as true of us; therefore, verse 11 does not apply to us either. Let us leave Jeremiah 29:11 exactly where it is in the Bible, and no confusion will result. It really is that simple.

Friend, if you want some positive, uplifting verses, wonderful promises from God, why not believe God’s Word to you rather than stealing Israel’s verses and ignoring their context? Friend, you search the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon, and you see such glorious truths true of us Gentiles in the Dispensation of Grace and members of the Church the Body of Christ:

Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

1 Corinthians 1:30: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

2 Corinthians 5:8: “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Colossians 1:13-14: “[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Philippians 1:6,11: “[6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:… [11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

Titus 3:4-7: “[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, [5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Also see:
» What are our spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ?
» Must I maintain fellowship with God?
» Should we pray for the peace of Jerusalem?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Have we been “grafted into Israel?”, Have we been “grafted into Israel?”, Have we been “grafted into Israel?”, THE NATION ISRAEL

Have we been “grafted into Israel?”

HAVE WE BEEN “GRAFTED INTO ISRAEL?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

Have we been grafted into Israel? Is that what Romans 11:16-24 teaches? As always, my dear readers, we look at the Bible and let it interpret itself. We should not have a denomination or religious tradition to promote. We should have a Person to exalt, and the Lord Jesus Christ is magnified when His Word is studied and believed no matter whom it contradicts!

No question about it. There is much controversy surrounding Romans 11:16-24. Honestly, there are some very outlandish ideas about what it teaches. Beloved, we should never, ever isolate a Bible passage. This set of verses is especially critical to our understanding as members of the Church the Body of Christ. We must get it right or we will face unanswerable confusion for the rest of our lives on Earth. Remember—Context! Context! Context! There are five preceding verses that lead up to Romans 11:16-24, and we need to heed them, lest we stumble over the verses they precede.

ROMANS 11:11-14

We begin reading Romans chapter 11: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.”

According to the Old Testament, Israel was to rise to kingdom glory and be the channel of blessing and salvation to the Gentiles/nations (Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:3-6; Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:6; Zechariah 8:20-23). Through Israel (in her literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom), Gentiles were to have a relationship with the one true God. Israel was to be God’s kingdom of priests. That has yet to happen. Something interrupted that prophetic program. It is our Dispensation of Grace, called “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). In light of Romans 16:25, we can call it “the mystery program.” (Contrasted with Israel’s “prophetic program” of Acts 3:21). This present-day administration or arrangement was a mystery (secret) that God hid in Himself until He revealed it to the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:24-29). In Romans chapter 11, we are reading about some truths that make up that revelation the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ gave to the Apostle Paul.

Romans chapter 11 declares that Israel has fallen before God. She has now lost her special status before God, albeit only temporarily Israel is fallen. That was the secret God kept hidden in the Old Testament. That was the mystery that He finally revealed to the Apostle Paul. In our Dispensation of Grace, Israel has lost the opportunity to be the head of the nations. She cannot be God’s channel of salvation and blessing to the Gentiles (nations). Gentiles cannot approach God through Israel and her kingdom. Why? Because Israel herself is in unbelief and Satanic captivity. Yet, we Gentiles have access to God today, and we Gentiles have had access to Him for almost 2,000 years now. How is this possible?

As we read earlier in Romans 11:11-12, Israel is temporarily “cast away,” fallen before God. By God removing Israel from her privileged position, Romans 11:11-12 explains what this means for the whole world: “[11] I say then, Have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

In our dispensation, “the world” (all people/nations) has been “reconciled” to God. All people (Jew and Gentile) can now approach Him—not through Israel or her kingdom—but through Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:13) and Paul’s Gospel. God no longer makes the distinction between Jew and Gentile—to God, even Jews are “Gentiles.” Unlike in time past, in the but now, there is no “special nation of God” today. God only sees people in His Son (whether Jew or Gentile), and people outside of His Son (whether Jew or Gentile).

Romans 11:13, again: “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Paul is our apostle. That is, the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ commissioned him to preach to us—all nations (Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26)—the good news of Calvary (“the Gospel of the Grace of God;” Acts 20:24). Reading from 2 Corinthians 5:19,21: “[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Now, “the world” (all nations) has the opportunity to be made “nigh” (near) to God by Christ’s shed blood. It has nothing to do with Israel because Israel is not an issue with God today. We have not been “grafted into Israel” because there is no “Israel” to be grafted into! Let us see Ephesians 2:11-13: “[11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

“In Christ Jesus,” in this context (verse 13), is a reference to members of the Church the Body of Christ. “The blood of Christ”—the Gospel Message that Paul preached—is the means whereby we approach Father God today. When we trust the shed blood of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for our sins, God credits that to our account as righteousness, and we are fit for heaven forever (Romans 4:1-8). There is no redeemed Israel here. There is no earthly Israeli kingdom here. Our salvation is dependent entirely upon what Jesus Christ did at Calvary, not upon what we do or do not do, not upon Israel, not upon her kingdom, not upon anything else.

While more could be said, for brevity’s sake, we must move on to the rest of Romans chapter 11.

ROMANS 11:15-24

Reading Paul’s words in Romans chapter 11: “[15] For if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? [16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. [17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; [18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. [19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. [20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. [22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. [23] And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. [24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?”

What Romans 11:16-24 is talking about is that we (“the world,” the nations; see verse 15) have now been given access to God, the access Israel enjoyed before she fell, the access we were to have as Gentiles had Israel not fallen. Because of Christ’s finished crosswork, we can partake of the spiritual things once offered to Israel—eternal life, justification, sanctification, peace, forgiveness, love, acceptance, et cetera. Olive wood is a symbol of access or entry into God’s fellowship/blessings. The Temple, God’s house, had olive doors (1 Kings 6:31-32). Access to God’s glory back then involved passing through olive-wood doors.

One day, God will “cut off” the nations of the world (verses 20-22). They will no longer have access to Him apart from Israel. As Israel’s unbelief led to her fall, the nations’ unbelief (rejection of Paul’s Gospel) will eventually lead to their fall (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Once prophecy resumes, Israel will again be brought to the forefront in God’s dealings with mankind. When our program ends with the Rapture, Gentiles who remain on Earth will have to approach God through Israel as Gentiles did before our Dispensation of Grace began. That is the warning of Romans 11:20-24. (It is not loss of salvation for members of the Body of Christ. People make that mistake here. It is talking about unsaved Gentiles losing their “without-Israel” method of access to the God of the Bible.) God’s grace will not always be offered to mankind as it has been in our Dispensation of Grace. Gentiles who are not part of the Body of Christ are urged not to be prideful, bragging about how Israel fell so they (Gentiles) could enjoy God’s blessings, for one day Gentiles will lose the privilege we as the Body of Christ members now enjoy. Israel will be restored one day, and those Gentiles outside of the Body of Christ will have to bless Israel to fellowship with the one true God (Matthew 25:31-46). Once Israel’s program resumes after our program, those Gentiles who do not bless Israel will wind up in everlasting hellfire (again, see Matthew 25:31-46).

We are not grafted into Israel. Israel is “fallen” and “enemies of God” (Romans 11:11,28). In 1 Thessalonians 2:16, Paul says, “the wrath [of God] is come upon them to the uttermost.” What advantage is there in being grafted into a nation that God does not acknowledge? It is nonsense. Is it really a privilege to be in a nation that God’s wrath has fallen upon, which wrath caused that nation’s fall? Of course not.

We (Gentiles, the world) have been “graffed in” in that God has paid for our sins at Calvary and He offers us fellowship with Him without Israel’s participation. We have access to Father God by faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. In fact, Jesus Christ’s faith is His trust in God the Father’s Word to send Him to Calvary. Notice again what Paul wrote to us Gentiles. “For through him [Jesus Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). “[Christ Jesus our Lord] In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Ephesians 3:12). There is nothing about Israel’s involvement. We have fellowship with Father God through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary. Jesus Christ alone is the one Mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5).

CONCLUSION

Romans 11:15-24 is basically saying that all Gentile nations are “graffed in” in the sense of we having equal access to God through Calvary (Ephesians 2:11-15). All nations can approach God today without Israel. In fact, even Israel is considered as a Gentile nation. Olive wood in the Bible symbolizes access to God: for example, the doors of the Temple were olive wood (1 Kings 6:31-34).

One day, after our Dispensation of Grace, God will resume His dealings with Israel, thus “cutting off” the Gentile nations. At that time, Israel will have preeminence again and every nation will have to approach God through Israel (as prophecy dictates). The Gentiles should not boast about God cutting off Israel today, since God will one day restore Israel and judge and destroy those Gentiles who fail to approach Him through Israel (verses 20-24). This passage, contrary to common belief, is not talking about the Church the Body of Christ being cut off (as in “loss of salvation”), but rather the warning in Romans 11:19-22 is spoken to those Gentiles who do not become members of the Body of Christ. If they do not become members of the Body of Christ by faith in Paul’s Gospel, they will have spurned God’s offer of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-21), and they will be lost in Israel’s program when it resumes under the Antichrist’s reign (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Also see:
» Can you please explain Paul’s “Acts” ministry?
» What is “Replacement Theology?”
» Is prophecy being fulfilled today in the Dispensation of Grace?