Category Archives: THE NATION ISRAEL

THE NATION ISRAEL, Why did God kill the Egyptians’ firstborn sons?

Why did God kill the Egyptians’ firstborn sons?

WHY DID GOD KILL THE EGYPTIANS’ FIRSTBORN SONS?

by Shawn Brasseaux

What was so special about the firstborn in Egypt that the LORD slew them?

Every casual Bible reader knows that Israel was enslaved in Egypt for centuries, and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh to command Pharaoh to release Israel. Once Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh the first time, Pharaoh refused to let Israel go and rather afflicted Israel with even more hardship (Exodus 4:1-23). So, the LORD demonstrated His power via ten plagues He poured out on Egypt. Unbelieving Israel came to understand that Moses was God’s spokesman, and unbelieving Egypt came to understand Israel was God’s people.

Moses and Aaron continually appear before Pharaoh, and Pharaoh refuses to let Israel go every time. Pharaoh became more and more callous toward God’s Word: his heart hardened and became increasingly stubborn. The tenth and final plague the LORD executed on Egypt and its pagan idols was the death of the firstborn: every firstborn in each Egyptian household, both of livestock and people, was slain by “the destroyer” that passed over Egypt (Exodus 12:23). “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of the cattle” (Exodus 12:29).

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD” (verse 12). Again, why the firstborn son? Exodus 4:22-23 explains: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: and I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.”

And thus, by slaying Egypt’s firstborn sons, God demonstrated to Pharaoh that Israel was His firstborn son.

Also see:
» Who is “the Bride of Christ?”
» Why did Israel have to keep so many strange laws?
» Was God unfair in striking Uzzah dead?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, THE NATION ISRAEL, What does “a land flowing with milk and honey” mean?, What does “a land flowing with milk and honey” mean?, What does “a land flowing with milk and honey” mean?

What does “a land flowing with milk and honey” mean?

WHAT DOES “A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Anyone who has grown up in church has undoubtedly heard the Promised Land being referred to as “a land flowing with milk and honey.” It is a most curious expression, is it not? Have you ever wondered what it means? As always, whenever we have a Bible question, we need to search the Bible to gain insight. “For what saith the Scriptures?”

The phrase “a land flowing [or ‘that floweth’] with milk and honey” appears 20 times in our King James Bible—Exodus 3:8, Exodus 3:17, Exodus 13:5, Exodus 33:3, Leviticus 20:24, Numbers 13:27, Numbers 14:8, Numbers 16:13, Numbers 16:14, Deuteronomy 6:3, Deuteronomy 11:9, Deuteronomy 26:9, Deuteronomy 26:15, Deuteronomy 27:3, Deuteronomy 31:20, Joshua 5:6, Jeremiah 11:5, Jeremiah 32:22, Ezekiel 20:6, and Ezekiel 20:15. While you are encouraged to look at all of these references on your own, we will look at a few of them here.

As just mentioned, the expression first appears in the Bible is Exodus 3:8, when the LORD appeared to Moses in the burning bush. The LORD said to Moses: “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” God said He would deliver the nation Israel from Egyptian slavery and bring them into the Promised Land, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” Later, as He promised, He rescued them from Egypt, and He brought them to the edge of the Promised Land.

By the time of Numbers chapter 13, Israel had been free from Egypt for just over a year. The Jews had sent 12 spies to explore the land of Palestine. Moses instructed these spies: “And [see] what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes” (verse 20).

In verse 23, the spies arrived at the brook of Eshcol, and cut down a grape cluster (“Eshcol” is Hebrew for “grape cluster;” verse 24). This one cluster of grapes was so enormous that two men had to carry it on a pole! The spies also collected figs and pomegranates. After 40 days of scouting, the spies returned to Moses and Israel’s camp and showed them Canaan’s fruit: “And they told him [Moses], and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it” (verse 27). Numbers 14:7-8 continues: “[7] And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. [8] If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 11:10-12 and Deuteronomy 31:20 also confirm that “flowing with milk and honey” indicated Canaan was a land of high agricultural productivity (pollination, green grass, flowering trees, water resources, abundant food, et cetera). Just think… rebellious Israel refused to go in!

God had been faithful in delivering Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery. Now, He would be faithful to bring her into an “exceeding good land.” But, Israel doubted God, and wanted to send 12 spies to explore that land. After 40 days of exploring Canaan, the spies returned to Israel’s camp. Canaan, the Promised Land, was abounding with food and water, high agricultural productivity (“a land flowing with milk and honey”). The presence of milk-producing animals implied grasses and other vegetation. Honey indicated pollinating creatures such as bees. The spies showed Israel the large grape cluster, the pomegranates, and the figs they had collected in Canaan (Numbers 13:21-27). The 12 spies confirmed that God had indeed given them a very great land, but 10 spies feared military defeat by the Gentiles dwelling therein, so Israel refused to enter (Numbers 13:28–14:11). Thus, God, in His righteous anger, punished them via the 40-year wilderness wandering (Deuteronomy 1:21-ff.).

Today, the Promised Land does not exhibit the beauty it had in Moses’ day. It is desolate and barren. But, that will change at Christ’s Second Coming and the following earthly kingdom. The Promised Land will be restored, and the curse of sin will be broken (Isaiah 51:3; Joel 3:17-21, Micah 4:1-3; et al.).

In fact, according to Amos 9:11-15, the LORD promised: “[11] In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: [12] That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. [13] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. [14] And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. [15] And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.”

One day, Israel will eternally dwell in her land, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” The best is yet to come for the little nation of Israel!

Also see:
» Is God finished with the nation Israel?
» Who is “the Bride of Christ?”
» When will the Old Testament saints be resurrected?

Did the 12 preach the Gospel of the Kingdom after Christ ascended?, Did the 12 preach the Gospel of the Kingdom after Christ ascended?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, THE NATION ISRAEL

Did the 12 preach the Gospel of the Kingdom after Christ ascended?

DID THE 12 APOSTLES PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM AFTER CHRIST ASCENDED?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Did the 12 preach the Gospel of the Kingdom after Christ ascended?”

Simply put, “Yes.” As always, we let the Holy Scriptures speak, and we give an eye to read, an ear to hear, and (most importantly) a heart to believe.

We begin in Matthew 10:5-8, the first part of the so-called “Great Commission:” “[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: [6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” The Bible says in Matthew 4:17,23: “[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [23] And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Now, we compare the above passages with Mark 1:14-15: “[14] Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

The Bible could not be clearer that Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. He preached, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven (or, ‘the kingdom of God’) is at hand.” John the Baptist preached that same message: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Paul affirmed, “When John had first preached before his [Jesus’] coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel” (Acts 13:24). John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the 12 Apostles preached water baptism and repentance as part of their salvation message.

Jesus said in famous Second Olivet Discourse, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). The word “this” again affirms that Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” is the Gospel of the Kingdom (Jesus’ coming being a fulfillment of Israel’s King coming). (The Gospel of the Kingdom, as Matthew chapter 24 says, will be preached again after our Dispensation of Grace.)

We will now look at Hebrews 2:3-5: “[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; [4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? [5] For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.”

Hebrews 2:3-5 says that the early Acts period (pre-Acts chapter 9) was a continuation of Christ’s earthly ministry. Whatever Jesus preached and did in the books of Matthew through John, the 12 Apostles were preaching it and doing it in early Acts. The Holy Spirit had come down (Acts chapter 2) and He was enabling Israel’s 12 apostles to do what Jesus Christ had done the three years prior during His earthly ministry. In Acts chapter 1, Jesus Christ had left Earth as a Royal Exile, ascended back to Heaven, gone to sit at the Father’s right hand, until His enemies were to be made His footstool (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:31-36). To continue what Jesus started, the 12 apostles of Israel preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and performed various healing miracles!

The message that Peter and the 11 preached in early Acts was nearly the same message that John the Baptist and Jesus had preached during His earthly ministry. But, God had commissioned the 12 apostles of Israel to preach an advanced revelation—Israel had since crucified Messiah Jesus, He had since resurrected, and the Holy Spirit had come down from heaven. The crucifixion, the resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit were the three advancements in the Kingdom message. Jesus Christ was still Israel’s Messiah-King, He was still coming to establish His earthly kingdom, and miraculous demonstrations proved it. That did not change in early Acts.

We read of this post-resurrection passage that transitions from the Four Gospels into the book of Acts, Luke chapter 24: “[46] And [Jesus] said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And ye are witnesses of these things. [49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

The 12 followed Jesus’ instructions in the book of Acts. Note what was preached in Jerusalem in Acts 2:38, in perfect accordance with Luke chapter 24: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” And Acts 3:18-21, also preached in Jerusalem: “[18] But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. [19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. [20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: [21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

Whether it was John the Baptist or Jesus in the Four Gospels, or Peter and the 11 in the early book of Acts, they all preached repentance and water baptism to prepare Israel for her King and coming kingdom (Jesus being the King, Israel being a “kingdom of priests;” Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9). In stark contrast, Paul never preached such a message; Paul never offered Israel her kingdom. He never did it in the book of Acts and he never wrote about it in his epistles, Romans through Philemon. Paul never preached water baptism and repentance for salvation. He never did it in the book of Acts and he never wrote about it in his epistles, Romans through Philemon.

Calvary was not good news in the early Acts period (that is, prior to God’s revelation to Paul). The crucifixion was something preached as evil, something Israel had done to bring God’s wrath upon them (see Acts 2:22-36; Acts 3:12-26; Acts 4:9-12; Acts 5:27-32). It is only when we come to Paul’s ministry and message that God reveals that Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork is now the means whereby He will save Jews and Gentiles alike by simple faith in that crosswork. Peter and the 11 did not preach in early Acts, “Christ died for our sins.” Paul did preach that message, however (1 Corinthians 15:3, written during the book of Acts). Paul simply preached faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as means for forgiveness, for salvation from sins, to receive the Holy Spirit, et cetera (Acts 13:38-39; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 1:16; Romans 3:22-28; Romans 4:1-8; Romans 4:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; et cetera)—Romans and Corinthians were written during Acts.

Also see:
» Can you please explain Paul’s “Acts” ministry?
» Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?
» Was Paul saved by the Gospel of the Kingdom?

“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head?”, THE NATION ISRAEL

“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head?”

“THE SON OF MAN HATH NOT WHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). What did the Lord mean here? “For what saith the Scriptures?” We will let the Holy Ghost, the Author and the Teacher of the Holy Bible, instruct us from the Holy Bible, so we can then believe the Holy Bible, and rejoice in the simple truths of the Holy Bible!

Firstly, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were poor people. How do we know? Luke chapter 2 clues us in to their financial situation: “[21] And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [22] And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; [23] (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) [24] And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

We read in the Mosaic Law, Leviticus chapter 12: “[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. [3] And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. [4] And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. [5] But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. [6] And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: [7] Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. [8] And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles [that is, turtledoves], or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”

According to the Mosaic Law, after bearing a male child and circumcising him on the eighth day, a Jewish woman was to be purified for 33 days (verse 6). When these days of purification were fulfilled, she was to bring forth “a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering,” and the priest would take this, offer it before the LORD, make atonement for her, and she would be cleansed of the issue of her blood. Verse 8 says, “And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles [that is, turtledoves], or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.” If the woman was too poor to bring a lamb and a young pigeon, or a lamb and a turtledove, she was to either bring: (1) two turtledoves, or (2) two young pigeons. The Bible says that Mary offered either two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the “poor woman’s offering.” Joseph and Mary were not wealthy at all. Joseph was just a carpenter by trade (Matthew 13:55). Jesus Himself, when He grew up, became a carpenter (Mark 6:3). The Holy Spirit is emphasizing Jesus’ humility. The great God of Creation came, not to enjoy earthly riches and high social status, but to be a poverty-stricken Man! Earthly riches did not matter to Him. He did not grow up in some palace, but in a carpenter’s workshop, crafting the very substance (wood) on which He would suffer and die for us!

While Luke 9:58—“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head”—is often used to say that Jesus was poor, we are persuaded that this verse is actually an indictment against Israel. There are other verses to prove Jesus was materially poor (see our opening comments). The context of Luke 9:58, however, suggests that our Lord is actually exposing Israel’s unbelief. Luke 9:58 is Jesus’ response to a previous statement, so we would do well to read that preceding verse: “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest” (verse 57). According to Matthew 8:19-20, the companion passage, this man is a scribe, a religious leader in Israel. This scribe makes a promise to Christ, to follow Him wherever He will go. Yet, notice Christ’s reply, Luke 9:58: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” The foxes and birds have places of residence, but not Jesus Christ. Where can He go? His nation—His own “flesh and blood”—unapologetically rejects Him. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11).

Over 30 years prior to the events of Luke 9:58, a baby (Jesus) was born to a virgin in Israel. He was Israel’s Messiah-King, but sinful Israel did not want Him. Instead, she let wicked King Herod murder His (toddler) contemporaries, forcing Joseph and Mary to take the young child Jesus and flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-18). When they later returned to Israel, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph dwelt in Nazareth, the “despised place” (verses 19-23). “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

With His nation callously rejecting Him, the only place Jesus Christ could go was Calvary’s cruel cross, to be sacrificed for their sins! Even after His resurrection, they refused to have Him. He ascended to heaven as a royal exile, but He shall return, and then He shall have a place to lay His head! Israel’s believing remnant will see Him returning in the skies above, and as JEHOVAH said, “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10). It is then that Jesus Christ will finally inherit the throne of David, to rule not only over Israel, but also over all the heavens and all the earth!

Also see:
» What does “my kingdom is not of this world” mean?
» Why do the wicked prosper?
» Who is “the Bride of Christ?”

THE NATION ISRAEL, What happened to the Gentiles of Acts 10?

What happened to the Gentiles of Acts 10?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GENTILES OF ACTS 10 AFTER THAT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Is there any Bible info on what happened to the Gentiles of Acts 10? It seems Peter forgot all about them and became ‘brain dead’ when he returned to Jerusalem. Were they added to the Jewish saints under the law? Or did they go under Paul’s ministry? It is not mentioned in the lessons I have studied, or anywhere in Scripture that I have found.” What fascinating questions; thank you! I have found verses that answer your question, and I would be delighted to share them.

Bear in mind that Cornelius was a Roman centurion (commander of 100 soldiers), “a devout [religious] man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:1-2). Verse 22 says, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel….” Cornelius had gained a reputation amongst all the members of the nation Israel—he had blessed Israel for an extended time prior to Acts chapter 10, evidently. But, why did Cornelius bless Israel? It was done in faith in God’s Word.

Genesis 12:1-3 explains: “[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

The Abrahamic Covenant said that God would bless Gentiles who would bless Israel and He would curse Gentiles who would curse Israel. Cornelius, a Gentile, knew that the Abrahamic Covenant was the only way that he could approach the God of Israel, the God of creation. Thus, by faith in the Old Testament Scriptures, Cornelius blessed Israel. Cornelius blessed Israel by giving many alms (goods and/or money) to Israel.

Cornelius was still lost, since he did not have the Holy Spirit (Cornelius was saved near the close of chapter 10), but he was better off than most Gentiles of that time. He had some spiritual light and was seeking additional understanding: hence, God sent an angel and the Apostle Peter to Cornelius in order to provide Cornelius with further insight into spiritual matters (Acts 10:3-6,19-22,33). As it turned out, God sent Peter to Cornelius to give Cornelius the opportunity to be saved from his sins.

When the Apostle Peter (and six other believing Jews; Acts 11:12) arrived at Cornelius’ house, Peter preached in Acts 10:34-35: “[34] Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: [35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” The Apostle Peter understood that God honored Cornelius’ blessing of Israel, and, in accordance with the Abrahamic Covenant, God would indeed bless Cornelius (Luke 7:1-10, a similar event, is greatly helpful in understanding the account of Cornelius). As Peter affirmed, God had accepted Cornelius on the basis of his faith in the Abrahamic Covenant and his works in accordance with it! Cornelius’ salvation rested on the Abrahamic Covenant, and that covenant was the context of Peter’s ministry.

Considering his epistles such as Romans and Galatians, the Apostle Paul never preached a works-religion message such as Acts 10:35. For this reason, the Gentiles of Acts chapter 10 could never come under, and never did come under, Paul’s ministry. Remember, since Israel fell as a nation back in Acts chapter 7, there is no Abrahamic Covenant in effect in Paul’s ministry (his ministry began in Acts chapter 9). The events leading up to Cornelius’ salvation would not qualify Cornelius to enter the Body of Christ and Paul’s ministry. Cornelius was one of the last people saved on the basis of the Abrahamic Covenant before Paul’s ministry came to the forefront.

In Paul’s ministry, we Gentiles are blessed apart from redeemed Israel and we are blessed in Christ: “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 1:3). In Paul’s ministry, we Gentiles are saved apart from any covenants and are rather made nigh (near) to God by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 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.”

CONCLUSION

Cornelius and the other Gentiles of Acts chapter 10 would have had to stay with Peter’s ministry, and, as far as the Scriptural record is concerned, Peter never again ministered to other Gentiles (Peter’s agreement with Paul in Galatians 2:9 occurred at the Jerusalem Conference recorded in Acts chapter 15, which was at least a decade after Cornelius’ experience). Cornelius and his friends were added to the Jews under the Law (see also our study, “Were Gentiles saved before our Dispensation of Grace?,” linked at the end of this article). As far as the book of Acts is concerned, Paul never ministered to Cornelius or the other Gentiles associated with him. Based on these facts, we conclude that the Gentiles of Acts chapter 10 stayed with Israel, her apostles, and her program.

By the way, why did God record the events of Acts chapter 10 in our Bible? Why did He have Peter minister to Cornelius, a Gentile? Why this radical departure from Peter’s original commission of evangelizing all of Israel first and then going to Gentiles? The events with Cornelius enabled Peter to come to Paul’s defense in Acts 15:7-11, when Paul affirmed that Gentiles in Paul’s ministry were saved apart from the Ten Commandments (as Peter learned in Acts chapter 10, verses 43-45) and that in Paul’s ministry they had received the Holy Spirit without water baptism (as Peter learned in Acts chapter 10, verses 45-48). It was in God’s design to have Peter experience some 10 years prior to the Jerusalem Conference of Acts chapter 15, so Peter could save Paul’s ministry with his own testimony and ministry experience. (People usually get hung up and confused on certain aspects of Acts chapter 10 without seeing why God had it occur, so please be sure to note the reason.)

Also see:
» Were Gentiles saved before our Dispensation of Grace? If so, how?
» Does not Acts 15:11 disprove dispensational Bible study?
» When did the Church the Body of Christ begin?

SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS, THE NATION ISRAEL, Was God unfair in striking Uzzah dead?, Was God unfair in striking Uzzah dead?

Was God unfair in striking Uzzah dead?

WAS GOD UNFAIR IN STRIKING UZZAH DEAD?

by Shawn Brasseaux

In the Bible, we read of the account where a man named Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant in order to stabilize it, to keep it from falling over. God was so angry that He immediately struck Uzzah dead. Was God “unfair” or excessively harsh here? What should we believe as Bible believers?

We read in God’s Holy Word in 2 Samuel chapter 6: “[1] Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. [2] And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. [3] And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. [4] And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. [5] And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. [6] And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. [7] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. [8] And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. [9] And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? [10] So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. [11] And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.” (The companion passage is 1 Chronicles 13:1-14.)

As the Bible text says above, the Jews had put the Ark on a new cart, and while it was en route from Gibeah, 1 Chronicles 13:8, providing further detail, says that the oxen actually stumbled. The stumbling of the oxen shook the cart (and the Ark sitting on the cart was on the verge of toppling). Uzzah, probably acting in sincerity, touched the Ark of the Covenant so as to hold it in place, that it not fall to the ground. Verse 10 says, “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.” King David was thus afraid to bring the Ark to his home, so he sent it to the house of Obededom the Gittite, where it stayed for three months.

The Bible critic will argue that JEHOVAH God was “unfair” in striking Uzzah dead, since Uzzah was only trying to steady the Ark of the Covenant. Uzzah was only acting in innocence, right? Dear friends, it was a more serious matter than what first appears. We have to be Bereans to learn why God was so strict about this matter. God’s justice enforces His righteousness: He must always maintain His integrity and His holiness, and when His standards are breached, He must act to right the wrong. Moses will explain to us what happened to Uzzah.

When JEHOVAH first issued instructions to Moses regarding the Tabernacle and all of its vessels, some 500 years before Uzzah and David, He could not be any clearer in Exodus 25:10-16: “[10] And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half [3.75 feet / 1.14 meters], shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half [2.25 feet / 0.70 meter] the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half [2.25 feet / 0.70 meter] the height thereof. [11] And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about. [12] And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. [13] And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. [14] And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. [15] The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. [16] And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.”

When the Ark of the Covenant was actually constructed, Exodus 37:1-5 says: “[1] And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half [3.75 feet / 1.14 meters] was the length of it, and a cubit and a half [2.25 feet / 0.70 meter] the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half [2.25 feet / 0.70 meter] the height of it: [2] And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. [3] And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. [4] And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. [5] And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.”

Never was the Ark of the Covenant to be transported on a cart. God’s explicit command was that the Ark be carried by poles inserted into rings attached to the bottom of the Ark. These staves were never to be removed for any reason. (They had been removed in the case of Uzzah for some unknown reason.) The Ark was holy, never to be defiled by filthy, sinful human fingers. God was bound to strike someone dead if they threatened His holiness. Someone should have had enough sense to make sure that it be carried on poles in 2 Samuel 6:1-11 and 1 Chronicles 13:1-14. Instead, it was carelessly placed on a cart pulled by oxen. Uzzah’s death could have been prevented. He should have exercised utmost care in remembering the LORD’S instructions through Moses. Uzzah should have actually let the Ark fall to the ground, rather than touch it and defile it.

CONCLUSION

The Ark of the Covenant was not to placed on a cart, but rather was to be carried with staves (poles) placed in the rings of the bottom of the Ark. JEHOVAH knew that there was stability in carrying the Ark of His covenant with poles. Furthermore, these poles ensured that, when the Ark was carried, sinful human hands would not touch the Ark (God manifested Himself on the Mercy Seat, the lid of the Ark of the Covenant). God was not unfair in the case of Uzzah. Although his intentions appeared good, Uzzah disobeyed God’s simple instructions. In that account, God was teaching us a deeper meaning, something many overlook when discussing this passage.

The Ark (specifically, its lid, the Mercy Seat) was only to be touched by a finger, the high priest’s finger, once a year (the Day of Atonement), and most importantly, it had to be a finger with animals’ blood on it (Leviticus 16:11-17). By touching the Ark without shed blood, Uzzah was presuming to enter the LORD’S holy presence. In the Bible, no sinner can approach a righteous God without shed blood. “Without shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22b). Uzzah was an example of what God did with someone who did not approach Him with blood… no forgiveness, no mercy, no acceptance!

What we can learn from this strange Old Testament account is that we should never, ever, ever even think of approaching the God of the Bible without the shed blood of Jesus Christ (the sacrifice that the animal sacrifices actually pictured). There are ever so many millions upon millions of precious people trying to approach the holy God of the Bible using their religious works—their water baptism, their church membership, their giving, their prayers, et cetera. They are ignoring that the God of the Bible will accept nothing from sinners. We have nothing to offer God; our best is not good enough because our “best” always has our worst in it (we can never perform perfectly, so our failures taint and negate what “good” we can offer). The only thing that will ever please Father God is the sinless sacrifice of His precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was once, it was perfect, it was forever—never to be repeated, never to be matched, never to pass away. If you have not already done so, will you rely exclusively on Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, as sufficient payment for your sins? I hope you will do it today! Those who remain without Jesus Christ’s shed blood run the risk of facing something far worse than what Uzzah experienced!

Romans 3:19-28: “[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Also see:
» My good works do not give me a right standing before God?! (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Why did God demand blood sacrifices? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» We are saved by faith, but are we blessed by works?

THE NATION ISRAEL, What were “Urim” and “Thummim?”

What were “Urim” and “Thummim?”

WHAT WERE “URIM” AND “THUMMIM?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

What were “Urim” and “Thummim” and what was their purpose? It is a most excellent question that engages us to delve into a fascinating Bible study here. We will see what God’s Word says about these enigmatic objects.

The King James Bible uses the terms—“the Urim and the Thummim” (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8), “Urim” (Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 28:6), “thy Thummim and thy Urim” (Deuteronomy 33:8), and “Urim and Thummim” (Ezra 2:63 = Nehemiah 7:65). As you will notice, these objects are usually spoken of as a pair in Scripture. “Urim” (pronounced “yoo-riym”) is Hebrew for “lights” and “Thummim” (pronounced “too-miym”) means “perfections.” (We introduce these meanings now, but they will not make sense until later, so we forgo any further comments for now.)

First, “Urim and Thummim” played a very important role in the religious and political life of the nation Israel. In the latter half of the book of Exodus, God instructed Moses regarding the construction and operation of the Tabernacle, His dwelling-place among them. In the 28th chapter, JEHOVAH God specified as to how Israel’s priests were to be ordained and clothed when ministering to Him in His Tabernacle. In verse 30, we read: “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.” When Moses installed Aaron his brother as Israel’s first high priest, Moses “put the breastplate upon [Aaron]: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim” (Leviticus 8:8).

Numbers 27:21 reveals the purpose of “Urim:” “And [Joshua] shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.” “Urim” was the method whereby the LORD’S will was sought and discerned (the name of such a device in pagan circles was an “oracle”). We read in 1 Samuel 28:6 how wicked and unbelieving King Saul attempted to contact the LORD by using “Urim,” and various means, to no avail: “And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” While not specified in 1 Samuel 14:36-42, Urim and/or Thummim may be implied when the Bible says, “Saul asked counsel of God…. Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot…. And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son….”

David, when he used the ephod (priest’s clothing), asked for God’s will to be revealed to him regarding Saul, and David learned what God wanted him to know and do (1 Samuel 23:9-12; 1 Samuel 30:7-8).

Just before Moses died, he blessed the 12 tribes of Israel. He said of Levi, the priestly tribe, “Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;” (Deuteronomy 33:8). “Thummim” and “Urim” were critical to the service of the priests, the leaders of Israel; hence, Moses affirmed they were to always be with Levi’s (priestly) descendants.

Post-Babylonian exile (circa 536 B.C.), when there was some confusion about the sons of a priest eating the most holy things, Ezra 2:63 says (cf. Nehemiah 7:65): “And the Tirshatha [Governor] said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.” Again, “Urim and Thummim” were used to discern God’s will (if them eating the holy things was acceptable to God).

CONCLUSION

What we know of “Urim” and “Thummim” as far as Scripture is concerned is that they were instruments utilized to discover God’s will, especially in regards to seeking the wellbeing of Israel (guided by her priesthood and her kings). “Urim” and “Thummim” were used in the same manner that the apostles “cast lots” to discern Matthias as God’s replacement for Judas (Acts 1:24-26; cf. Proverbs 16:33). As an interesting little side-note, we repeat that “Urim” (pronounced “yoo-riym”) is Hebrew for “lights” and “Thummim” (pronounced “too-miym”) means “perfections.” Considering their names, the ancient Jews would use these objects to provide additional spiritual light, a more complete (“perfect”) understanding of God’s will, than they would not have had otherwise.

What “Urim” and “Thummim” were exactly and how were they used, we cannot be absolutely sure. Still, there are verses that lead me to conclude that “Urim” and “Thummim” were precious stones. According to the Bible, there were two onyx stones placed on the shoulders of the high priest’s ephod (Exodus 28:9-12)—one stone engraved with the names of six of the tribes of Israel, the other engraved with the names of the other six tribes. Additionally, each tribe was to have its own precious stone on the high priest’s breastplate (verses 15-21). When the priests’ clothes were actually made in Exodus chapter 39, “Urim” and “Thummim” are not mentioned by name. What are mentioned are the two onyx stones and 12 various precious stones (verses 6-14). Hence, it is highly likely that some of these stones (or maybe similar precious stones) were what the Holy Spirit meant when He utilized the terms “Urim” and “Thummim” (notice they are plural nouns).

How does understanding this topic impact us? God revealed His will by various means in time past: because there was an incomplete divine revelation, there was always more to learn from God. There were angelic visitations, visions, dreams, miracles, prophets, lots, and so on, to provide further instruction into the mind and will of God. Hebrews 1:1-2 comments: “[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” Now, we do not need angels, visions, dreams, miraculous demonstrations, circumstances, prayer closets, or even Urim and Thummim to know what God wants us to know or do. We have a completed Bible, a complete revelation from Almighty God (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Ephesians 1:9-11). Will we read it? Or, most importantly, will we believe it?

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Also see:
» Does God intervene in my life? If so, how?
» What Scriptural advice can you give me for the New Year?
» I am new to the Bible so where should I begin?

THE NATION ISRAEL, Where did Matthias go after replacing Judas?

Where did Matthias go after replacing Judas?

WHERE DID MATTHIAS GO AFTER REPLACING JUDAS?

by Shawn Brasseaux

That is a fascinating question, and thank you for submitting it. Let us see what the Scriptures say about Matthias.

The name “Matthias” makes its only two appearances in the Bible in Acts chapter 1. Matthias never again appears in Scripture by name. The same could be said of Andrew, Thomas, Bartholomew/Nathanael, Simon Zelotes, and Mary the mother of Jesus (Acts 1:13-14). We never again hear of Joseph Barsabas Justus either (Acts 1:23).

What we know is that Matthias functioned in the same capacity as Judas would have had Judas not lost that apostleship to unbelief. The Apostle Peter commented in Acts chapter 1: “[21] Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” We continue reading, “[23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, [25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. [26] And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Scripture is very clear that the Lord, not Peter (as commonly assumed), chose Matthias. Matthias later worked with the other 11 apostles of Israel throughout the book of Acts as a firsthand witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthias witnessed John the Baptist’s ministry and all of Christ’s earthly ministry). He was with them on the day of Pentecost when they received the Holy Ghost (Acts chapter 2). Matthias would have remained with them in the Temple. Like Peter, James, and John, Matthias diligently preached to Israel in hopes of turning her around and bringing her back to JEHOVAH God and getting her to recognize Jesus as her Messiah/Christ.

While we cannot be absolutely sure, Matthias was probably present in Acts chapter 15 with James, Peter, and John when Paul and Barnabas went to the Jerusalem Conference (also recorded in Galatians chapter 2). What happened to Matthias toward the end of his life, we do not know. The book of Acts never explicitly mentions him after chapter 1. None of Paul’s epistles ever reference him. The Hebrew epistles—Hebrews through Revelation—make no mention of Matthias by name. For some unknown reason, God the Holy Ghost thought it best not to focus on Matthias’ apostolic activities.

Still, Matthias, like all the apostles of Israel, will have a role in prophecy. According to Acts chapter 1, his name (in the place of Judas) is in the foundations of the holy Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem, which come down to Earth from Heaven one day (Revelation 21:14). In keeping with the Old Testament bodily resurrection promises and Jesus’ words regarding the subject, at His Second Coming, and just before the earthly 1000-year kingdom begins, Matthias will be bodily resurrected, along with all the other saints of Israel’s program (going all the way back to Adam). Matthias, and the other 11 apostles of Israel will sit on 12 thrones, ruling the 12 tribes of Israel throughout that kingdom-millennium and eternity future (Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:30).

Also see:
» Who was Judas’ replacement—Matthias or Paul?
» Did Judas die a forgiven man?
» Does Matthew 19:27-28 prove Judas is in heaven?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Is the Church the Body of Christ spoken of in Matthew 16:18?, Is the Church the Body of Christ spoken of in Matthew 16:18?, Is the Church the Body of Christ spoken of in Matthew 16:18?, THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE NATION ISRAEL

Is the Church the Body of Christ spoken of in Matthew 16:18?

IS THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST SPOKEN OF IN MATTHEW 16:18?

by Shawn Brasseaux

While we will always be grateful to the late Dr. Cyrus Ingerson (“C. I.”) Scofield (1843–1921) for recovering numerous dispensational Bible truths that were lost to many centuries of church tradition, and for his bold stand in teaching many of these precious truths in the form of the first edition (1909) and second and final edition (1917) of the Scofield Study Bible in a time when dispensational Bible study was rarer than it was today, we simply cannot agree with this dear brother’s view of Matthew 16:18. Please note that I will have to get technical to answer the question, but I trust I will be able to reduce it all to layman’s terms by the end of the study!

We begin by quoting the passage, Matthew 16:16-18: “[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Verse 18 is the first time that the word “church” appears in the New Testament (or even in the entire Bible for that matter). It is quite unfortunate that the only “church” most people know of in Scripture is the Church the Body of Christ—similarly, the only “baptism” most know of in Scripture is water baptism! The thoughtful Bible student cannot and will not arrive at such a conclusion that there is only one church in Scripture; it is an easily demonstrable fact that there is more than one “church” in the Bible.

For example, Acts 7:38 says: “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:” Now, was the Church the Body of Christ with Moses out in the wilderness at Mount Sinai? No, such a notion would be silly, utterly ridiculous. The “church” of Acts 7:38 is the nation Israel, a “called-out assembly” delivered from Egypt. Just as we would be unwise in claiming that the “church” in Acts 7:38 is the Church the Body of Christ, we would be unwise in automatically assuming that the “church” of Matthew 16:18 is the Church the Body of Christ.

It is a commonly-held view that as soon as we move from Genesis through Malachi and reach the book of Matthew, we begin “Christianity” as we know it. This is because it is normally assumed that Jesus Christ founded Christianity during His earthly ministry, Matthew through John (as we will see later, even Scofield did not believe that the Church the Body of Christ existed in Matthew through John). However, these are nothing more than the result of placing church tradition above the Scriptures. Christianity does not begin until the Apostle Paul’s ministry, some four years after the earthly ministry of Jesus began. If we could just understand that Christianity began when the ascended, risen, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed to the Apostle Paul the information for this dispensation, we would never see ourselves in Matthew through John, and we would never try to place ourselves into the Four Gospel Records. We would never look for our doctrine, duty, walk, or destiny in Matthew through John. This was Christ’s earthly ministry to Jews only (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Acts 3:25-26; Romans 15:8)—the Bible is so clear that Matthew through John was not spoken to the Body of Christ and was not spoken to Gentiles. Period.

We can now critically examine Dr. Scofield’s view regarding Matthew 16:18. For the paragraph heading of verses 17-20, he has the following title: “First mention of the church.” This ambiguity makes the Bible less clear than it is. As we already stated, there is more than one church in the Bible, so to simply refer to something as “the church” without qualification is not to distinguish the different churches in Scripture, and it further reinforces the erroneous idea that there is only one church in the Bible. The same could be said about calling the Dispensation of Grace “the Church Age”—there are actually three churches in Scripture, so “the Church Age” is a misnomer.

In his study Bible, Dr. Scofield has the following footnote attached to Matthew 16:18: “Gr. ecclesia (ek = “out of,” kaleo = “to call”), an assembly of called-out ones. The word is used of any assembly; the word itself implies no more, as, e.g., the town-meeting at Ephesus (Acts 19. 39), and Israel, called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness (Acts 7. 38). Israel was a true ‘church,’ but not in any sense the N.T. church—the only point of similarity being that both were “called out” and by the same God. All else is contrast. See Acts 7. 38, note; Heb. 12. 23, note.”

Notice how Dr. Scofield did notice Israel as being a “church” (we would call it the “Mosaic Church,” since Moses led it in the wilderness). Yet, again, he is assuming that there is something called “the N.[ew]T.[estament] church,” and that we the Church the Body of Christ are “the New Testament church.” This too is misleading, since the New Testament Scriptures (Matthew through Revelation) actually involve two churches—one is called “the Messianic Church” and the other is “the Church the Body of Christ.” To refer to merely “the New Testament Church” is not to differentiate or specify—would you be referring to the Messianic Church (believing Jews in the Four Gospel Records and early Acts) or the Mystery Church (the Body of Christ)? To add to the confusion, an assembly of believers who are obviously Jewish and who are doing Jewish things in Acts chapter 2, are understood to be the Church the Body of Christ. To say that the “church” of Acts 2:47 is the Body of Christ is to again confound the differences between Israel and the Body of Christ. It only adds to the confusion that already abounds in Christendom.

At Ephesians 3:6, Dr. Scofield has this footnote: “That the Gentiles were to be saved was no mystery (Rom. 9. 24-33; 10. 19-21). The mystery “hid in God” was the divine purpose to make of Jew and Gentile a wholly new thing—“the church, which is [Christ’s] body,” formed by the baptized with the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 12. 12,13) and in which the earthly distinction between Jew and Gentile disappears (Eph. 2. 14,15; Col. 3. 10,11). The revelation of this mystery, which was foretold but not explained by Christ (Mt. 16. 18), was committed to Paul. In his writings alone we find the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny of the church.”

Please note Dr. Scofield’s hybrid view—Jesus Christ predicted the Body of Christ in Matthew 16:18 but He did not explain it until Paul’s writings. This is a very dangerous view (as we will see later).

At this point, I should mention that I received the following email not too long ago in response to one of our Bible studies: “The church (i.e. the body of Christ) began at Pentecost. Jesus said he would build his church (Mt.16:18). He started building it at Pentecost by the Holy Spirit and later added the Gentiles by revelation to the apostles and prophets: Paul (Eph.3:6) and Peter in Acts 10.”

Dear readers, to even suggest—let alone believe—that God would speak about a Jew-and-Gentile body of believers to a group of Jews only, is nonsensical. Why would Jesus talk about a new body of believers (believing Jews and Gentiles reconciled in one body, the Body of Christ), to a group of Jews only (Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Romans 15:8)? To make the “church” of Matthew 16:18 the Church the Body of Christ is to do great violence to the context of the verse, and introduce an enormous amount of confusion. We do not need to add to the mounting Bible ignorance.

We offer two simple keys to identifying the church of Matthew 16:18.

1. WHAT GOSPEL IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHURCH OF MATTHEW 16:18?

Peter’s profession in Matthew 16:16 is the first key to properly identifying the “church” of Matthew 16:18.

Matthew 16:16 is the famous confession of the Apostle Peter, where he publicly admitted that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is not the gospel by which we are saved today. It is the heart of the Gospel of the Kingdom, and the Gospel of the Kingdom is the foundation of what is called the “Messianic Church”—Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

Had Peter said, “Thou art Jesus Christ, who wilt die for our sins, who wilt be buried, and who wilt be raised again the third day,” we would be more convinced that the “church” of Matthew 16:18 could be a reference to the Church the Body of Christ. Peter did not say anything about Calvary in that verse. The only foundation on which the Church the Body of Christ is built is Christ crucified, and Peter made no reference to Calvary’s cross in Matthew 16:18. The different gospel of Matthew 16:16 is our first reason to not believe that Matthew 16:18 is the Church the Body of Christ.

2. WHAT DOES “THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT,” MEAN?

The phrase “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” is the second key to properly identifying the “church” of Matthew 16:18. This phraseology does not make much sense in our day and age, but it fits perfectly in the ages to come, when the gates of hell are opened and Satan’s creatures are released from the bottomless pit.

During the seven-year Tribulation, Satan’s policy of evil will reach its climax, its zenith, its ultimate pinnacle. Hell itself, particularly working through the Antichrist and his regime and religion, will do everything it can to stamp out the Jewish believing remnant. The Antichrist will systematically exterminate the Jewish race (any Jews who do not cooperate with him, worship him, accept his mark, et cetera). We read about those “beheaded for the witness of Jesus” (Revelation 20:4). The Antichrist will make war with the Jewish saints and overcome them by killing them (Revelation 13:5-8)—he will execute anyone who does not follow his evil world religion (verse 15). Jesus talked about how His believing Jews would be persecuted, imprisoned, and killed for His sake (Matthew 10:16-42). The Antichrist will “wear out the saints” (Daniel 7:25) and he will “destroy the mighty and the holy people” (Daniel 8:24).

As long as Israel is polluted with false idols and evil spirits, or even destroyed (annihilated from off the face of the planet), God cannot fulfill prophecy because prophecy depends on the existence of the nation Israel. Satan attempted to destroy the nation Israel many times in history. Pharaoh killed all of the male babies in Egypt, in the time when Moses was born. The Devil tried to destroy the nation Israel in Queen Esther’s reign. Satan attempted to destroy the Messiah by killing the babies two and under in Judaea during Herod’s reign. So, the Antichrist will again try to wipe out Israel, to no avail. A Jewish remnant will be living at Christ’s return, as Jesus told them that the gates of hell would not prevail against them. Even those Jews who have died for Christ during the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will resurrect them when He returns (Revelation 20:4-6).

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s [Israel’s] trouble; but he shall be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7). Despite everything that will happen, God still promises to save a believing remnant of Israel during that seven-year Tribulation!

REPLY TO DR. SCOFIELD’S ARGUMENT ABOUT THE VERB TENSE OF MATTHEW 16:18

In his 64-page booklet, first printed in 1896, “Rightly dividing the Word of Truth,” Dr. Scofield states the following:

“Further, Scripture shows [the Bible student] that neither Israel nor the Church always existed. Each had a recorded beginning. That of Israel he finds in the call of Abram. Looking then for the birth of the Church he finds (contrary, perhaps, to his expectations, for he has probably been taught that Adam and the Patriarchs are in the Church) that it certainly did not exist before, nor during, the earth-life of Christ, for he finds Him speaking of His Church as yet future when he says (Matt. 16:18), ‘Upon this rock I WILL build my Church.’ Not ‘have built,’ nor ‘am building,’ but ‘WILL build.’ He finds, too from Eph. 3:5-10, that the Church is not once mentioned in Old Testament prophecy, but was, in those ages, a mystery ‘hid in God.’ Scripturally, he finds the birth of the Church in Acts 2, and the termination of its career on the earth in 1 Thess. 4.”

Firstly, we certainly disagree with Dr. Scofield that “the birth of the Church [is] Acts 2.” There is abundant proof in Scripture that the Church of Acts 2 and the Church the Body of Christ are two separate entities—please see our study at the end of this article that discusses 12 reasons why the Church the Body of Christ did not begin in Acts chapter 2.

Scofield claims that Matthew 16:18 is the future Church the Body of Christ by pointing out that the term “will build” in Matthew 16:18 is future tense. He argues that since Jesus said, “I will build my church” and not “I am building my church,” the church spoken of in Matthew 16:18 was a future church not a church present when He spoke. In other words, Scofield disagrees with the Messianic Church being the church of Matthew 16:18. However, again, the word “church” in Matthew 16:18 is to be understood in light of Acts 2:47. The church that Jesus said He would build in Matthew 16:18 is the church He later built in Acts chapter 2. So, the words “I will build my church” are to be understood in light of believing Israel of Acts chapter 2—it was on that day some 3,000 Jews were repentant and water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41). Acts chapter 2 is clearly Jewish and Matthew 16:18 is clearly Jewish, so to make them the Body of Christ is to ignore that these two passages describe one church—the Messianic Church—and that church is separate and distinct from the Church the Body of Christ.

CONCLUSION

Jesus supposedly predicted the Church the Body of Christ in Matthew 16:18 but He revealed to Paul some time later. This is an unsound approach to the Bible.

There should always be a very clear distinction between Christ’s earthly ministry and Paul’s ministry. If we start reading ourselves into the Four Gospel Records in just one passage, then we put ourselves on a slippery slope of claiming everything in the Four Gospel Records is related to us. Who is to say that if Jesus spoke of but did not reveal the Church the Body of Christ in His earthly ministry, what else did He speak of that related to us that we have to go back and find in those Matthew-John passages? In other words, we could validly argue that maybe Jesus also spoke of the rapture in His earthly ministry but that He did not reveal it until Paul either. Maybe Jesus in the Four Gospel Records also talked about justification by faith in Him alone without works, but did not reveal that doctrine fully until we came to Paul. Maybe He in His earthly ministry spoke of Israel’s fall and salvation going to the Gentiles without Israel, but did not fully reveal it until Paul. On and on we could go, and we would just add to the great Bible confusion already present in Christendom. In fact, Matthew 16:18 is so Jewish in nature, to say that it is the Church the Body of Christ is to then give opportunity for the replacement-theology proponents to argue that we have replaced Israel (because we would be stealing Israel’s passages and claiming them for ourselves anyway)!

The “church” of Matthew 16:18 is the Messianic Church, Jews who had recognized Jesus as Messiah, Christ, the Son of God—the profession that Peter made in verse 16. It is on that profession of faith of Peter that the Messianic Church rests. Matthew 16:18 and Acts 2:47 have nothing to do with us. Matthew 16:18 is not the Roman Catholic Church and it is not the Church the Body of Christ (the two most common views of the verse). To find ourselves in these passages is to find ourselves confused, and thus find ourselves outside of God’s will. Yes, it is that serious, so we had better “search and see” before believing any study Bible notes anywhere. The Church the Body of Christ was not spoken of until Jesus Christ first revealed it to the Apostle Paul. There is no Church the Body of Christ in Matthew through John at all, in hidden language or in plain language.

May we have joy and peace in believing, Romans through Philemon God’s Word to us (Romans 15:13), and may we toss out that which is superfluous!

Also see:
» Did the Church the Body of Christ begin in Acts 2?
» When did the Church the Body of Christ begin?
» Have we replaced the nation Israel?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, THE NATION ISRAEL, What does “my kingdom is not of this world” mean?, What does “my kingdom is not of this world” mean?, What does “my kingdom is not of this world” mean?

What does “my kingdom is not of this world” mean?

WHAT DOES “MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

It is commonly believed that Jesus Christ’s kingdom was not a literal, physical, and visible kingdom, but rather a “spiritual kingdom,” an invisible kingdom where He would “reign in the hearts of men” (a belief called “amillennialism”). John 18:36 is perhaps the main Bible verse used to teach such a doctrine, so it behooves us to study this verse and understand what it actually teaches. “We are certainly not satisfied to have denominational tradition as our guide, so we will study and believe the Scriptures and have Jesus Christ thereby glorified!”

We focus on the following passage in John chapter 18: “[33] Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? [34] Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? [35] Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? [36] Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

Jesus Christ, just hours before His crucifixion, is standing before Judaean governor Pontius Pilate. What did Jesus mean when He said in verse 36, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence?” Was He saying that His kingdom was not literal, not physical, not earthly, and not Davidic? That, as some religionists claim today, it was just some “spiritual reign in the hearts of men?” As a general rule of thumb for Bible study, it is always important to not base a doctrine on one verse. Furthermore, we should never, ever, ever grab a verse that is strange, and use it to confuse verses that are clear. It is always helpful to look at the context of verses that are difficult, and to use verses that are clear, to explain verses that are unclear. That is what we will do here.

Earlier, we read that Pilate asked Jesus how His own nation, Israel, and its chief priests could deliver Him to the Roman government to be sentenced to death (John 18:35). Our Lord’s reply was simple: (sinful, unbelieving) Israel rejected Him as their Messiah-King because He was righteous. They did not want God ruling over them, as the psalmist David prophesied: “[1] Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth [Roman rulers] set themselves, and the rulers [of Israel] take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed [Messiah/Christ], saying, [3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:1-3; cf. Acts 4:25-28).

Psalm chapter 2 also provides details about that coming kingdom of Jesus Christ: “[6] Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. [7] I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. [8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. [9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” According to Psalm 2, the passage being fulfilled there in John chapter 18, what type of kingdom was Jesus purposing to establish on the earth when Israel rejected Him and demanded that Rome crucify Him? Was it a spiritual “reign in the hearts of men?” The Holy Spirit through David said it so expressly, so clearly, we would have to want to miss it to miss it: “I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion… Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession… Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” The only kingdom that would be in Zion, the only kingdom that would involve the heathen and the uttermost parts of the earth, and the only kingdom involving Jesus Christ ruling over nations would be a literal, physical, visible kingdom. (We will learn more about kingdom of Christ destroying the Gentile kingdoms in Daniel chapter 2, later.)

The Bible says in Luke 1:31-33: “[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” The only kingdom Jesus Christ came to set up was a kingdom that was modeled after King David’s; the Bible is quite plain about that. Now, did King David “reign in the hearts of men?” Did not David rule over a literal, physical, visible Israel in a literal, physical, visible land? That is the same kind of kingdom Jesus Christ would have established long ago, and will yet establish on planet Earth.

Interestingly, our Lord said in John 18:36, “but now is my kingdom not from hence.” His kingdom would be established on earth, just not “now,” not during His First Coming. This is important to notice—“now” is a word that is commonly overlooked in John 18:36. As He knew, He could not reign as King until after He had gone to Calvary’s cross and died for man’s sins (Luke 17:24-25). In addition, the institution of our 2,000-year-long Dispensation of Grace has further delayed Christ’s reign on earth.

Upon Jesus’s Second Coming, to conclude the seven-year Tribulation, Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit during the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1-3). Satan’s evil world system, and all its governments, will be demolished when Christ establishes His earthly kingdom (see Daniel 2:31-45). “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (verse 44). Again, notice, this kingdom of Jesus Christ will demolish all other kingdoms of Earth—it is a literal, physical, visible kingdom, one that will crush those that exist today!

Jesus Christ came to earth and left 2,000 years ago as Israel’s rejected King: He never did rule Israel, for Israel declared in John 19:15: “We have no king but Caesar!” So, how can Luke 1:33 say Jesus Christ will rule Israel “for ever?” Dispensational Bible study relieves us of confusion and consternation. Luke 1:33 is to be taken literally, but it is to be believed dispensationally. Israel’s prophetic (kingdom) program, the program to which Luke 1:33 belongs, is currently suspended. God is not restoring the earth’s governments today. Instead, He is forming the Church the Body of Christ, a heavenly people whom He will use to restore the heavenly governments in the ages to come (see Colossians 1:16-20). While our Dispensation of Grace is operating, Israel’s kingdom program is delayed. Once our dispensation ends (at the rapture), then God will resume Israel’s program and Christ will return at His Second Coming to fulfill Luke 1:33 (establishing His literal, physical, visible earthly kingdom). You can read about that in Romans 11:25-36.

So, returning to Jesus Christ saying, “my kingdom is not of this world,” we now analyze this phrase. What did Jesus mean here? His kingdom is a literal, physical, visible kingdom, so how is it “not of this world?” We will study the Scriptures for the answer.

Again, John 18:36 is often misconstrued to deny a literal, physical, visible reign of Christ on earth. Because Jesus Christ is not literally, physically, and visibly ruling on earth today, it is assumed that the kingdom spoken of in the Old Testament and Four Gospels was an invisible, spiritual kingdom. This belief is without merit. The apostles inquired in Acts 1:6: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” What type of kingdom did Israel have? A literal, physical, visible kingdom! The apostles are asking if Christ at that time would “restore again” Israel to her glorious kingdom days, especially those of Kings David and Solomon. They were obviously speaking of a literal, physical, visible kingdom.

Jesus never corrected them, or told them they were wrong in asking such a question. He merely told them in Acts 1:7-8: “[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. [8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Jesus just told them that it was not for them to know the time-schedule of that literal, physical, visible kingdom. He did not deny its existence; He did not chide them for not paying attention to His preaching during the last 40 days. The only kingdom Jesus spoke of in Acts 1:1-5 during those 40 days was a literal, physical, visible kingdom (which was why the apostles asked in verse 6 when it would be established).

In the book of the Revelation, which is still unfulfilled, we read of voices in heaven saying: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (11:15). (Here is when Luke 1:33 will be fulfilled.) What kingdoms exist in the world? Invisible, spiritual kingdoms? No, they are literal, physical, visible kingdoms, and, at His Second Coming, Jesus Christ will reign over them all. “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9). The Bible says Jesus Christ will have preeminence in all the governments of heaven and earth. That means that the same earthly government first entrusted to Adam (Genesis 1:26-28) but lost to sin and Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4) is what Jesus Christ will reign over one day.

When Jesus Christ admitted that His kingdom was “not of this world,” He was not implying that it was spiritual and/or invisible. Actually, He meant that His kingdom is separate and distinct from the system upon which the world’s governments of Pilate’s time (and even those of today) are built. It will be a kingdom that God Himself, not some mortal man, will establish and administrate, a glorious monarchy in which God’s will shall always be accomplished on earth.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Within these two realms, God also created governments: “For by him [the Lord Jesus Christ] 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” (Colossians 1:16).

God also made creatures to occupy those offices of government: He formed the angels to rule in heaven for His glory, and mankind to rule on the earth for His glory. One of God’s chief angelic-like creatures, a cherub named Lucifer, rebelled against God by wanting to rule for his glory: Lucifer proclaimed, “I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14b). This title “most High” means “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19,22). Essentially, Lucifer (Satan) purposed to usurp all of God’s authority, in heaven and in earth. Satan was able to recruit a portion of God’s angels to follow him in his rebellion in heaven (Ezekiel 28:18; Matthew 25:41).

When God placed man on the earth, man was to rule earth for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26,28). Unfortunately, man (Adam) willingly chose to relinquish his God-given authority to Satan, by sinfully following Satan in his rebellion against God (Romans 5:12). Today, the governments of heaven (Ephesians 6:12) and earth (2 Corinthians 4:4) are in rebellion. Earth’s governments are corrupt because Satan is “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). In fact, Satan tempted Christ with a proposal: if Christ would worship him, Satan would give Him the world’s governments (Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-7).

In John 18:36, when Christ claimed His kingdom was “not of this world,” He meant that His kingdom would not originate from the evil world system underlying today’s governments. His reign would restore earth’s governments to God (Colossians 1:20).

“Iniquity”—a selfish, rebellious, anti-God attitude—existed first in Lucifer/Satan (Ezekiel 28:15), who is now “the god [ruler] of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Hence, the world’s governments abound with injustice and iniquity (“not equal;” that is, “not fair”). “[T]he mystery of iniquity doth already work” (2 Thessalonians 2:7), whose context describes the seven-year Tribulation, when the Antichrist will epitomize this world’s blasphemous political system by claiming to be and exalting himself as God (Daniel 8:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), just as Lucifer did in Isaiah 14:14.

Daniel 2:31-45 is King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and God’s interpretation as spoken through the prophet Daniel. Essentially, Nebuchadnezzar saw a giant image, symbolizing major Gentile world empires (most of which were future from his time). Nebuchadnezzar then saw a “stone cut out without hands” demolish this image, which stone “became a mountain [kingdom], and filled the whole earth” (verses 34-35).

This stone is “cut out without hands,” meaning it is not of human origin: it is “not of this world” (this is what Jesus meant in John 18:36). This stone is Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:6-8) at His Second Coming to set up His glorious kingdom on earth, a kingdom established by “the God of heaven” (Daniel 2:44), one not founded by “the god of this world,” Satan, nor influenced by his autonomous spirit.

Try as we might, political reform is impossible in this world. Though politicians can and are replaced, the underlying corrupt political system (described earlier) remains the same. Political reformation is only possible if the existing satanically inspired world system is replaced with God’s, and none of us mortal humans can achieve this. In God’s own time (Christ’s Second Coming), He will abolish Satan’s evil world system that has dominated earth for 6,000 years, and replace it with His righteous world system.

Indeed, Christ’s kingdom is “not of this world,” and how we cannot wait for it to come!!

CONCLUSION

We find the following written in a popular, modern-day Bible study aid book: “What was the kingdom that Jesus came to found? Not a political kingdom, but God’s reign in the hearts of people that will control and transform their lives.” Beloved, I will be completely honest with you—the above quote is heretical and actually quite stupid. No one who honestly read the Bible from cover to cover could ever arrive at such a dumb conclusion. Amillennialism is a false doctrine. Surely, we do not need people outside Christendom attacking the Bible; people within the professing church are doing quite well in sabotaging, corrupting, and “disproving” the Bible.

We read in John 18:36: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Did David ever rule “in the hearts of men?” If he did not, and it would be senseless to say that he did, then Jesus Christ reigning from David’s throne could only indicate that Jesus Christ will one day sit on a literal, physical, visible throne in Jerusalem, Israel—that is the only type of throne David ever had!

One day, Jesus Christ would reign as King over all Israel, yea over all the Earth, but He knew it was not going to be at His First Coming. He knew He would have to die for man’s sins first, He knew He would be rejected of Israel first, and so on. He also knew there were be a 2,000-year-long window of time between His sufferings at Calvary and His reigning as King, our Dispensation of Grace. Since Jesus Christ is not reigning on a throne in Jerusalem today, people assume that that kingdom He and the prophets spoke of was not a literal, physical, visible kingdom. What ignorance! Such nonsense is the result of a failure to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), a negligence to understand and believe the Bible dispensationally. Of course, Jesus Christ is not reigning today on Earth; that prophetic program is suspended for a time. God is doing something else today beside reclaiming Earth, beside redeeming Israel, beside restoring David’s throne, and so on. He is forming the Church the Body of Christ, of believing Jews and Gentiles who will simply trust His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for their sins. He is forming a heavenly people by His grace, everything He can do for them through the finished crosswork of Christ! May we read and study Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, for they describe what God is doing today; they alone contain our doctrine, duty, walk, and destiny. The Bible is ever so liberating, ever so clear, ever so enjoyable, when we simply use it God’s way!

Also see:
» When will Jesus Christ come back? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» What will the Millennium be like? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Who will reign with Jesus Christ during the 1000 years? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)